Jesus Friend of Sinners - Casting Crowns

I'm a Crazy Lady!!!

I'm a Crazy Lady and I even have the hat to prove it. Here's yer hat! kinda like when Jeff Foxworthy used to say........Here's yer sign...hehehe

Even here in the mountains of Utah where I live at 7000 ft above sea level it is spring!!! :o)

The snow has melted off early this year. We didn't get nearly as much snow as would be normal for our area and it has been warmer than normal so the snow is gone (all but the higher mountain elevations) and the ground is drying up fast which means that theres tons of work to do!

Why I'm a Crazy Lady!

SPRING CLEANING

you know I look just like this when I'm cleaning don't you?

Spring cleaning is almost done on the inside, most of It I do in the winter months because I am home bound a lot of the time.  I don't like to go out and about if the roads are bad and I am not a winter sports person. I really do not like the cold so I stay indoors quit a bit in the winter months. This is when I will do my spring cleaning and indoor projects like painting, decorating or refinishing furniture. I have a set of bookshelves in the garage that I'm going to start this week for Paris's room.

Once the warm weather gets here I DO NOT WANT TO BE INDOORS!  When it is warm you will find me out at the barn clipping and bathing a horse, riding or giving lessons to the kids, working in the garden or in a flowerbed, chicken watching *grin*. Now that the girls are getting older they want to be doing the same things as me. :o) (happy Grammy) Here's yer hat!

Why I'm a Crazy Lady!

                                                               GARDEN PLANNING

We will be garden planning, preparing the garden area and getting it all planted. Last year we tripled our garden area. I have some new ideas for the new areas but it will probably evolve over time. Some of the ideas that I have take $$$$ others take time. Things like a cottage looking garden shed (with a porch) ;o) $$$, a fence $$$, stone pathways (time), and fruit bushes/trees will be added, more $$$ and time.

I have this huge bronze looking rooster that is about three ft tall that I want to use out in the garden somehow, maybe at the entrance $$$ or as an ornament alongside the garden shed. There is a lot of clean up to do outside, everything looks dirty after winter and before everything greens up. Also depending on the year we can get a pretty bad muddy season. (I hope we don't this year)

I have asked my hubby to install a clothes line out in the yard (I have asked this for the last two years ;o) so that when weather permits I can hang out our clothes to cut cost on our utilities and just because I love the smell of line dried laundry and bedding. Also I need it for our big blankets and comforters, we have a king size bed and that comforter won't even fit in our dryer. Also I usually have a few horse blankets and sheets to hang out. DH says OK! he gets it.....the clothes line will go in this spring! :o) He likes to eat.....Heres yer hat!

Why I'm a Crazy Lady!
  I need to finish a couple of books I have started. This one is tough I have two I am reading now, oh wait.... make that four that I need to finish so I can get to some of the others I bought that I want really to read. I also have a few I want to reread because I read them while going through a stressful time in my life and I don't even remember what they were about. :o)

My book list:

Reading now; Fool Proofing Your Life (how to deal effectively with impossible people in your life) by Jan Silvious 
The Scarlet Cord, nothing but the blood of Jesus (a concise call to world missions) by Jon & Ann Dunagan of Harvest Ministry 
As Silver Refined (what if your circumstances are actually the flames of God's grace, intended to burn away all that is undesirable in your life, leaving you pure, like refined silver?) by Kay Arthur
The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer

Next in line;

The Mission Minded Family by Ann Dunagan
The Mission Minded Child by Ann Dunagan
Make Your Place (affordable, sustainable nesting skills) by Raleigh Briggs
The Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency used by the Mormon Pioneers (I do live in Utah :o)
Forgotten God by Francis Chan (reread)
Radical by David Platt (reread)
Crazy Love by Francis Chan (reread)
Indescribable by Louie Giglio and Matt Redman
Revolution in World Missions by K. P. Yohannan
Redeeming The Time by Chuck D. Pierce
A Beautiful Offering by Angela Thomas
Because He Loves Me by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick (reread, I only got half way through it and don't remember what I read)

Heres yer hat!


I totally look like this when I read! :o) Don't you read in pantyhose?

Why I'm a Crazy Lady!
 It seems like I have a hard time reading the books that I want to read. I read to and with the girls every night for about an hour before bed time.  We just finished reading The Horse and His Boy by C.S.Lewis and now we are reading Cheaper By The Dozen and will watch the movie when we are done. (sometimes I like to order the movies if there has been one made of the books we are reading, it makes for a fun movie night and makes for some fun conversations about the books/stories/people/lifestyles/choices etc. ) It also helps to build a better visual picture in the kids minds of there story and they just remember the stories better. (me too ;o) I have a whole other list of books we will be reading together.....Heres yer Hat!

Why I'm a Crazy Lady!

Then by the time I can take a breath from all the outdoor clean up and garden planting and maybe go for a few rides on my horse it will be summer and what comes next? Canning Season!!!

Here's yer hat! :o)

Just in case you were wondering ..........Why I'm a Crazy Lady!

Blessings and Happy Spring!!!

*Susan*

St. Patrick was a MISSIONARY to Ireland!

Paris and I made a Leprechaun trap


This week we are learning about St. Patrick.  Ann from Harvest Ministry posted the following on their web site and I thought I would share what she wrote.   This year Portia's Sonlight curriculum has been focused on world missions and what is called the 10/40 window.   It is my desire to cultivate their hearts in such a way as to develop a love for the orphans of this world, for the poor and hungry and for all people who are lost and need Jesus.  

What is the 10/40 Window?

The 10/40 Window is an area of the world that contains the largest population of non-Christians in the world. The area extends from 10 degrees to 40 degrees North of the equator, and stretches from North Africa across to China.

We love Harvest Ministry and what they do and we will now be partnering with them to support their ministry. We are anxiously awaiting three books from Harvest Ministry one is "The Mission Minded Family" the other "The Mission Minded Child" and the other The "Scarlet Cord". I know that these books will help me to open up their hearts and minds to the needs of others around the world. You can find these books on their website if you are interested in them.

What is the 10/40 Window?

The 10/40 Window is an area of the world that contains the largest population of non-Christians in the world. The area extends from 10 degrees to 40 degrees North of the equator, and stretches from North Africa across to China.

St. Patrick’s Day

To many people, St. Patrick’s Day is nothing more than a holiday to commemorate the traditions of Ireland. People wear “Irish” green; stores decorate with shamrocks, leprechauns, and rainbows; and restaurants feature meals of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes . . . or green-colored mint milkshakes.

To others, March 17th is a day to gratify the flesh: to guzzle beer, or to glorify sinful lifestyles through disgraceful city-wide parades. How far we have come from the real story of a missionary named Patrick and the sacrifices he made to bring the love of Jesus Christ to the people of Ireland. Today, more than ever, our world needs the Gospel.

During the month of March, let’s remember the missionary story of St. Patrick. And let’s use all the GREEN decorations as a constant reminder, wherever we see them (in stores, restaurants, etc.), that we’re all called to GO with God’s GOOD NEWS!

How can we pray for Ireland?

In previous generations, Ireland was a predominantly Christian nation, even “sending” missionaries to other countries and helping to spread the Gospel throughout Europe. Today, according to a recent European Believers report, less than 1% of the people of Ireland are born-again believers (only 0.62%). That percentage is so low.
As mission-minded families, we need to PRAY for Ireland.
Learn how to pray for IRELAND on OPERATION WORLD.


St. Patrick’s Day – MARCH 17th

Patrick was the first Christian missionary to Ireland. In the United States, celebrations include city parades, Irish cultural celebrations, and the wearing of green.

Who was Saint Patrick?

“Saint” Patrick (389 – 461 AD) actually went to Ireland twice – first as a slave, and later as a missionary. Born in Britain (in Wales), Patrick is widely known as the first Christian missionary to the Irish people. During his youth (from 16 to 22 years old), he was captured and taken to Ireland. While there, young Patrick repented of his sinful, backslidden condition. Years later, after escaping to his homeland, he received a vision from God calling him to return to the Irish people to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Patrick obeyed God’s call and went back.
For the remainder of his life, Patrick ministered among the heathen tribes of Ireland – confronting Irish idolatry and sorcery, converting many to Jesus Christ, and baptizing thousands of people. Tradition says he used the three-leaf Irish clover to teach the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
According to historian William Federer, who wrote St. Patrick: The Real History of His Life, From Tragedy to Triumph, “He was actually a missionary and he converted 120,000 druids from paganism to Christianity.” Federer claims that in the fifth century A.D., Patrick did more than perhaps anyone in history to spread Christianity in Europe. Although druids attempted to kill him over a dozen times, Patrick continued to preach the message of Jesus Christ, and throughout his ministry he pioneered over 300 Christian churches. Patrick also spoke out against slavery, and because of this, some call him the world’s first abolitionist.
Mission-Minded Family Resources:
To learn more about St. Patrick, I recommend Hero Tales – Volume III, by Dave & Neta Jackson (Bethany House Publishers). Along with the short biography summary, St. Patrick: Missionary to Ireland, the Jackson’s include three devotional stories (each with a focus “From God’s Word” and “Let’s Talk About It” discussion questions) to read aloud:

• “Your Ship is Ready” — Trust
• The Fire on the Hill — Boldness
• Blood on the White Robes — Righteous Anger

VeggieTales has a funny “flannel-graph” version of the St. Patrick story, which is surprisingly historically accurate, on the VeggieTales DVD, Sumo of the Opera.
Also, Focus on the Family has a special “Days to Remember” edition of Adventures in Odyssey, with two episodes specifically highlighting the true meaning of St. Patrick’s Day.

NOTE: This article is adapted from the chapter “Enjoying Missions Throughout the Year” from Ann’s book,
The Mission-Minded Family – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny.

*Frugal Ways * Fixing things Up* Using what you have*

I think most people are feeling the pinch of this downed economy our country is in and many of us are finding ways to fix up what we have in order to cut our costs whatever way we can.
I know we sure do feel the crunch, our income is down about 40% all the while the cost of food, fuel, & health care skyrocket.


I have gone to great lengths the past couple of years to learn how to
substantially cut our expenses. We have expanded our garden and I have started canning a lot more of our own food. I have joined a food co-op where I purchase a basket of fresh fruits and veggies each week for only $15 a week and I have refinished some beat up furniture to take care of some of the girls needs and fix up their rooms.


I even  refinished our dinning room table, it is made of pine and over the years all the kids had beat it up pretty bad. We had a friend cover the top with a crackle look formica for $150 then I painted the legs and sanded them to create a distressed finish. I had  done this several years ago to my coffee table and end table in the family room so now they all match :o)


I just brought home a beat up bookshelf unit for Paris. I am going to refinish it and put it in her room to hold all her books (because of home school curriculum she has a lot) one tall unit and a shorter unit that will sit next to it to hold her tv and dvd player. (only dvd's in the girls rooms, no connection to regular tv) :o) best part is.....It was FREE!!!........thanks mom! Now I can move her books out of her closet and have more room in there for her other junk toys that are stuffed under her bed. I love it when I can find inexpensive and simple solutions to make things function around here a little bit better. :o) I will post some before and after photos soon.

 we also had two leafs done to match so that on
holidays we can expand the table. There are two more of the side chairs that go and a bench that matches....when it is all put together we can sit 10.

 can you believe this top is formica? The best part of this is the kids can't hurt it now! LOL
Not a bad looking table for $150

I don't have to have the best and I love to take old things and fix them up and re purpose them for a new use or just to fix them up and keep going with them but I hate it when my things get tore up. It's funny, I love the distressed look but it has to have been meant to have looked that way LOL

 This is my bag from Bountiful Baskets last weekend.....this is quite a bit of produce for $15

 Saturday morning after returning from picking up my basket I came home and made this breakfast casserole....with my hens laying between 12 and 16 eggs a day I do look for recipes that will use up eggs quick and this recipe used 10 eggs :o)

Breakfast Casserole

3 slices of bread diced

10 eggs

2 cups milk

1 onion diced

1 bell pepper diced

1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

1 lb ground sausage cooked

a little salt and pepper

Saute peppers and onions with a bit of olive oil

brown and crumble sausage

Butter a 13x9 in baking dish

place diced bread on bottom and spread with the shredded cheese

whisk eggs and milk and pour over the cheese

top with sauteed peppers and onions and the crumbled cooked sausage

salt and pepper then bake @350 for 45-55 min until set

That's what Iv been up to

Blessings!

*Susan*