6 Quick Recipes For Busy Weeknights

For many, the school bell has rung to being a new year. During that first couple of weeks of getting back into the groove, dinnertime will either consist of takeout or cruddy foods like hot dogs, but it doesn’t have to. I'm not poking fun at hot dogs because I love a good Chicago dog and Chili dog.Today, I’m sharing with you 6 quick recipes for busy weeknights.

6 Quick Recipes for Busy Weeknights

During the school year, serving a decent breakfast when everyone is up trying to get ready for school is hard. Breakfast for supper?

The Hungry Man Breakfast Skillet

Whether you are on an AIP/ Paleo diet or not, these chicken wraps look and sound amazing! And super quick – 30 minutes or less. For my salad loving husband, I know he will love this. Yum!

AIP/Paleo Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

When I was a teenager, there was a local restaurant that served a Tortellini Soup. I loved it! I haven’t had it in years, but this recipe is on my list to make once we are finished moving.

30 Minute Tortellini Soup

What kid doesn’t like a saucy pasta or pizza? Why not have both at the same time! For the cook, it’s a one pot meal – YAY! for less to clean.

Easy One Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta

Who doesn’t love tacos? A Mexican meal on a busy weeknight will help you to slow down and enjoy your family meal time. This can be on the table within 40 minutes. I made these a couple of weeks ago, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Grilled Pork Tacos with Mexican Corn Salsa

Pizza is a big deal at our house. We have it one night every other week, usually on Friday so it will give us something to look forward to.  Sometimes, I get a little bored with just the plain old pizza; I think homemade pizza rolls will give a nice little change.

Pizza Rolls –  The Perfect Party Dish

As you can see, you don’t have to rely on take out or quick fix items like hot dogs to have a quick and easy dinner during the busy week.

What are some of your quick recipes for busy weeknights?

Faithful and True {Thankful Thursdays}

Step back and look around you. Do you see people you can trust, or are you surrounded by “friends” who are untrustworthy? Now, look a little closer, a little deeper; are you a faithful friend? Faithful friends should not be just a benefit for us, but we should also benefit others by being faithful and true. Do your friends consider you to be faith and true? While we are all human and make mistakes in our friendships, there is One who is Faithful and True even when we are not.

Faithful and True

In reality, no one but Jesus who can be given the title Faithful and True. He has been faithful to the truth, and its application, faithful to the promises of blessing and cursing.

A sacrificial offering, one that needs no repayment, one for anybody who accepts it – Jesus did that. He fulfilled the promise when He rose again on the third day like he said He would. (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, Acts10:40)

Jesus tells us in John 14:3 I will come again, and receive you unto myself. For those with Jesus as their personal Saviour, this will be a day of rejoicing. Those left behind can rejoice in having the hope to be reunited with us again.

But Jesus also said in Matthew 7:23 I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. That day that will bring tears and wailing. If you’ve seen a person break down and wail, then you know it is a horrible act of emotions running. I can’t imagine what it will be like when Jesus speaks the words, “depart from me, I never knew you.”

We can trust Jesus with everything. He should be the first One we go to in prayer before anyone else. Jesus will be faithful and true to us, our needs, our concerns, and our prayers – everything. He is our Faithful and True friend.

Nothing about Jesus changes. He is the Living Word, not one iota changes in Jesus. He is Faithful and True and always will be.

Lord, keep up faithful and true to You until we are called home.

Visit this week's linkup HERE.

7 Homeschooling Tips and Encouragements

At the first meeting of the local homeschooling families, I was the only one who had been on this journey longer than a year or two. I even heard one lady say in excitement we have a veteran who can answer all of our questions. I couldn’t help but giggle and said I was hardly the one to answer questions, but I would do my best. While most of the questions were about Common Core, I had to admit it was not my biggest concern while ducking the thrown tomatoes. Sadly, the ones who were so against it finished one year and re-enrolled their children back into the public school. Whether you are a veteran home educator, a newbie, or just thinking about it there is always room for more tips and encouragement.

Homeschooling Tips and Encouragements

One of the many goals I had in the early years was to eventually have a self-learning child. It took several years of guidance, but we reached that goal.

Help Your Children Become Independent Learners

If you’re curious about the benefits of self-learning, you can read about some of what I have seen in my own son.

5 Benefits of Self- Learning

The next five links are from some blogging friends and they have shared a wealth of tips and encouragement.

Choosing the right curriculum for your family can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s some pretty awesome curricula on the market, but before you dive in and buy everything you see, consider these five things Julia shares in How to Choose The Perfect Homeschool Curriculum For Your Family.

Budgeting for your homeschool is probably just as hard as choosing a curriculum for many. If you’ve been called to homeschool and your budget is far less than a shoe string budget, Amy has some wonderful ideas to help keep costs down in  Homeschooling On A Budget.

Alaana is sharing a 15-page free download on Getting Started with Homeschooling.
In it you’ll find:
• Getting started checklist (Tip: Print this page!)
• Legal policies by state
• Explanations for 8 types of homeschooling
• Curriculum suggestions for each type of homeschooling
• A list of resources that new homeschoolers should bookmark

Rebecca has the cutest DIY project for Montessori Moveable Alphabet. This hands-on learning helps aid your child in sounding out words. I love this idea and wish I would have known about it when my Jamie was beginning reading.

And she even shared a link for a Montessori style font; don’t miss that.

Do you have a Moaning Myrtle among your crew? Gabrielle does and she shares about how to help your Myrtle during one of their moments. I didn’t have a Moaning Myrtle and over the years I’ve come to be more considerate of those who do.

As the new school year begins for many, I hope these homeschooling tips and encouragements give you the extra push to continue on your journey of a home education.

7 Verses That Speak Hope and Encouragement

With us moving and all, I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a Thankful Thursdays post this week. Hopefully, I’ll be back sharing more about the names of our Lord next Thursday. Today I want to share with you 7 Verses That Speak Hope and Encouragement.

7 Verses That Speak Hope and Encouragement

• I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful I don’t have to be consumed by all of my mistakes and bad choices. I’ve made quite a few in my 45 years, but the mercy God gives puts out the fire I started.

Lamentations 3:22-24

It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion...therefore will I hope in him.

• The Lord is good to us, even when we don’t wait on Him and His perfect timing. When we put the cart before the horse, it may seem like a good idea at the time, but have you considered just what this means? The cart is going nowhere! The only way the cart will move is by being behind the one who can pull it. No matter how long it takes for the Lord to work something out, wait patiently for Him.

Lamentations 3:25-26

The LORD is good until them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

• When I taught school, I had my share of waiting on the Lord with several students and their parents. I was even told not to pray for patience because the Lord will make sure I learned how to be patient through a student. With those precious kids, I learned patience. I learned to trust the Lord and praise Him while waiting for Him to work.

Psalm 71:14

But I will hope continually and will yet praise thee more and more.

• When we put our confidence and trust in the Lord, it grows and shows in our lives even during times of testing. Just like a tree planted near water, the roots grow towards the water and they grow stronger. The tree becomes a beautiful creation and when a season of drought hits, those roots will still be able to drink in the water.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

• I’m thankful for the complete encouragement I get from the Lord when I call on Him. Never has He shook me and rattled my brain while scolding me because of fear. He’s holding my hand through every step I take.

Isaiah 41:13

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

• Abounding in hope, I can't claim this because I get discouraged and I even question God. A sweet older pastor’s wife once told me it is okay to question God as long as we are being respectful and honoring Him. It’s natural for us to ask questions like why and how. You know, if we pray for the joy and peace, God will give it. He wants our lives to be a spring of joy and peace running over.

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

• I love what Warren Wiersbe says about what we’re living our life for.

“If life is short and goes past so swiftly,” asks David, “what am I waiting for? If the world is nothing but a shadow image, let me give myself to the Lord, who is the foundation of all that is real and lasting.” Today we would say, “The reality is … found in Christ” The main concern is not how long we live but how we live. Life is measured, not by how rich we are in material wealth, but whether we have values that last. Are we living with eternity’s values in view?”

Psalm 39:7

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

These are just seven of the many verses that bring me hope and encouragement. Did I share any of your favorites?

>>We made it to my parents' house early Monday morning. Thank you for your prayers, our trip was uneventful. My husband has a job interview this morning (Thursday) and another on Monday afternoon. Our internet is limited, all these wonderful links will be visited, commented on, and shared just as soon as I can. <<<

Visit this week's linkup HERE.

5 Child Safety Tips

As a parent, keeping our children safe is a big issue. While I am of the generation where we learned lessons the hard way, I did make some safety decisions for my own son when he was little. In my day, we rode our bikes without helmets, we piled into the car and went up the highway with no seat belts, while some of us hanging out the window. A chest of drawers was not fastened to the wall and it only took one time for my sister to climb up the drawers to quickly learn her lesson. I even learned the hard way that an electric stove eye did not have to be red for it to be hot. My husband and his brother and friends learned an umbrella was not a parachute when they jumped off the roof of their house. The first failed experimented didn’t keep them from trying several more times before they realized it wouldn’t work. Today, I'm sharing 5 child safety tips.

5 Child Safety Tips

Traveling with kids can be hectic. I remember the days of packing everything I thought I would need just to find out the one needed thing was left behind. My Jamie always had extra pairs of socks in his bag when he began walking. Even to this day, he won’t go barefoot in the hotel. You do know what is living in the carpet in hotel rooms, right?

Traveling With Kids – 3 Easy Safety Hacks

If you ever have to deal with the unpleasant aftermath of super glue on tiny hands and fingers, here’s the perfect solution. I’m even keeping this in the back of my mind for the next time I use the glue.

Removing Super Glue

Bee stings can be a horrible thing to deal with. Back in the day, I have been known to chew a little tobacco or place a pinch of snuff in my lip to wet it to help ease the sting of a bee. ** There are no more tobacco products in our home, thank goodness. ** I’ve been learning what I can about herbs and plants. You know, there’s a plant that may be in your yard that will help soothe the pain, redness, and swelling from a bee sting.

Plaintain 4 Bee Stings

When my Jamie was little, I wrapped the corner of our entertainment center and piano bench with old towels and tape. A very chic look when I had company. Now days, there is a magic tool that can be used, although its original purpose is meant to be used in the swimming pool.

Use The Humble Pool Noodle To Baby Proof Your Home

We live in a day of internet and smartphones. Just about every home has the internet and many families all have smartphones. While we would like to think our teens know how to stay safe while using either one, if you’ve never talked to them about it, then they don’t.

Best Counseling Degrees website has an infograph that is very helpful  in showing just how much our children are exposed to while on the internet and social media. You can see it HERE.

I hope these tips are an encouragement to help you in keeping your children safe.

How Can I Fear with Jesus? {Thankful Thursdays}

Nervousness, concern, and fearfulness have all raged within me over the past three months. I’m still concerned, not worried, just concerned. I am a little fearful too. Even with these feelings going on inside of me, there is One I can run to for safety. He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my God, my Strength, my Buckler (shield), the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower (place of safety). (Psalm 18:2) While the enemy has already done the damage, I’m still concerned he will get his foot back in the door and cause more problems. But through it all, How Can I Fear With Jesus?

How Can I Fear with Jesus?

To be concerned is normal. There are plenty of things in life we should be concerned about. But we can not allow them to cause us to worry; we don’t have to carry that load alone. (I Peter 5:7) If someone told me things in life didn't concern them, I would think I was being lied to or they are too foolish to not care. It's okay to be concerned.

My fear is not all about what may or may not happen. It’s more like walking in complete darkness in an unfamiliar place. Not knowing what is lying in the path, or if there is a drop off where I’m about to careen over the edge; just enough to cause concern. I will not let this fear keep me from allowing God to work (Isaiah 55:8-11), because how can I fear with Jesus?

No matter what a Christian faces in life, we have Jesus we can run to anytime. We know He will always be there in our time of need. (Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5). Whether the outcome is good or bad, He is always in control of every situation. (Romans 8:28) With this kind of reassurance, how can we fear with Jesus?

Several months ago, I shared Faith In Uncertain Times. On July 22^nd, my husband’s job ended. It was his choice, but he was put in a position to make the choice. While there is uncertainty that lies ahead, I’m trusting the Lord through it all, because how can I fear with Jesus?

When shadows fall and the night covers all
There are things that my eyes cannot see.
I never fear, for the Saviour is near.
My LORD abides with me!

When I'm alone and I face the unknown
And I fear what the future may be,
I can depend on the strength of my Friend!
He walks along with me.

Jesus is King! He controls everything!
He is with me each night and each day.
I trust my soul to the Saviour's control;
He drives all fear away!

Chorus

How can I fear? Jesus is near!
He ever watches over me!
Worries all cease; He gives me peace.
How can I fear with Jesus?

 How Can I Fear - Ron Hamilton

Visit this week's linkup HERE.

Jesus Christ the Same {Thankful Thursdays}

We live in a sinful, restless world. Every morning when we wake up, something around us changes. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, a change in jobs, or the dog is finally house broken. Further away from our families scary things are changing. The Supreme Court goes against the Bible on marriage. (Gen 2:24, Matt 19:4-5). Mass shootings, terrorist’s threats and actions, it seems everything you hear on the news is something that goes against the Bible and things that are horrible. With the entire world changing around us, there is One who isn't - Jesus Christ the Same!

Jesus Christ the Same

According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the word unchangeable means -

Not capable of change; immutable; not subject to variation. God is an unchangeable being.

What God stood for in the Garden of Eden, He stands for today. The laws He gave to Moses, He expects us to live them today. When Jesus taught to love your neighbor, you guessed it, we are to love our neighbors. Nothing about God has changed.

Who was He before He was born of Mary? He was God. Who was He before He lived and worked among men? He was God. Who was He when He hung on the cross? He was God. Who is He today? He is God. The same God with the nail pierced hands and feet, the scarred side, the same loving heart. He is the same God who is always by our side.

God is not the one who changed, the world has changed.

Heavenly Father, You are the same. Help us to know You and Your unchanging ways. Help us to deepen our love for You and that it may always be the same.

Visit this week's linkup HERE.

Mixed Berry Crumble

With our move coming up, we’ve been working on eating everything that is in the freezers. Last winter, I bought a bag of frozen mixed berries for frozen treats. As the months moved on, the bag was pushed further into the back and forgotten about. Sad, I tell ya! Two weeks ago, I decided it was time to do something with those berries. So I made a Mixed Berry Crumble.

Four years ago, I shared a Blueberry and Peach Crumble recipe and it has been one we eat often during the summer months while the fruit is in season. This crumble is basically the same just with different fruit. While I love anything peach, I think this may be a new favorite.

Mixed Berry Crumble

The Mixed Berry Crumble was gone by the end of the day. I found the pan soaking in the sink the next morning when I got up. My long legged boy ate the last of it as a midnight snack before heading to bed. He reminds me of my oldest brother because he has a midnight snack when he wakes up during the night.

The bag of fruit (strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries)was almost full, so I had about 5 cups of berries. I didn’t add any extra of the other ingredients and they turned out perfectly sweetened.

When you pull the baking dish out of the oven, fight the urge to taste it. Trust me, that hot fruit and thick juice will have you running like a scalded dog. ;)

Mixed Berry Crumble

Ingredients:

• 5 cups mixed berries
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

The topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 stick cold butter, diced

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Place berries in a large bowl and add the lemon juice, sugar, and flour tossing well. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes before pouring into a 9x13 baking dish.

For the topping, combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and the butter in a bowl. With a pastry knife, cut in the butter until it is the size of peas then rub the mixture with your fingers until you have big crumbles. Sprinkle evenly over the fruit. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Fresh whipped cream is the perfect topping for this tasty dessert.