Kitchen and Household Tips

How to Buy the Freshest Bread Possible ~ Since bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday), and each day has a different color twist tie, use this strategy to find fresh bread:
Monday = Blue Twist Tie
Tuesday = Green
Thursday = Red
Friday = White
Saturday = Yellow

So if your shopping day is Tuesday, look for a green twist tie; not white which is Fridays (almost a week old)! The colors are in alphabetical order: Blue - Green - Red - White - Yellow (Monday through Saturday) - minus Wednesdays. 

Popcorn ~ contains no GMO's

Make Your Own Seed Strips when ready to plant, by spreading seeds out in a straight row on a table, spaced the way you want them planted in your garden.  Carefully lower cellophane tape over them, pressing very lightly - just enough to pick up the seeds and not have the tape stick to the table.  Now you have seed strips to plant, with the seed facing up.  Check the seed packet for how much soil to use in covering the seeds.

Door Sticks in Humid Weather ~ Slide a bar of soap along the doorjamb to create a nonstick barrier.

Drawers Don't Open and Close Smoothly ~ Rub a bar of soap on the drawer where it slides to make it glide more easily.

Kitchen Sink Won't Drain ~ To break up grease clogs, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain, followed with boiling water.  Try this before calling a plumber or using other measures.

Shower Drain Stopped Up ~ To break up hair and hair conditioner clogs, pour 1/2 baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain, then flush with boiling water.  After this procedure, use a plunger on the drain.

A Lightbulb Breaks Off in the Socket ~ Unplug the fixture or turn off power at the main service panel.  Spread open needle-nose pliers inside the broken base and turn counterclockwise to unscrew.  If that doesn't work, cut a raw potato in half, press it into the broken lightbulb, and turn counterclockwise to remove the broken bulb.

Our Creator's Splash of Colorful Fireworks

by Lois Breneman ~ Heart to Heart ~  September, 2019

Our Creator God blends all the colors in our world so beautifully, even when the spring and summer plants He created are fading, dying, and emerging into the new autumn season!

There are touches of golds, oranges, reds, mauves, blues, silvers, and other hues mixed in to replace the green.  He beautifully paints and transforms each leaf before it fades away and drops to the earth to decay and nourish the ground before spring according to His plan.

We have an amazing God who gives us all things to enjoy, including fabulous colors of autumn that He puts on display in a splash of colorful fireworks during this season.  For everything, there is a time and a season.

If your life is in a difficult change of seasons right now just remember that the same God who created you loves you and will indeed make all things beautiful in His time.

Natural Body Butter

by Lois Breneman

This afternoon I enjoyed making Natural Body Butter. After seeing several other recipes I revised my own concoction.

BODY BUTTER RECIPE

Melt in double boiler on stove top:
2 cups shea butter
2 cups cocoa butter
2 cups coconut oil
1 cup (total) of other liquid oils.
I used pomegranate seed oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E oil.

For a double boiler, I used the large stainless steel bowl to my Kitchen Aid mixer and placed it into a stainless steel Dutch oven with water on the stove. By doing that I saved one extra greasy dish. Melt all the oils.

Set the bowl of melted oils in the fridge to cool for a couple of hours. I put mine outside (30 degrees), covered with a plate. When the sides begin to harden, scrape down the sides and whip the mixture with a stand mixer for about 20 minutes or until the oils are whipped and thickened. It ends up with a beautiful sheen and looks just like frosting!

At this point, I added about 50 drops of doTERRA Balance essential oil, a little more than that amount of lavender oil, and one tube of doTERRA unscented hand and body lotion (6.7 fl. oz./200 ml). The lotion helps cut down on the oiliness. When rubbed into the skin, it will absorb and not leave an oily feeling. I love it and it smells wonderful!

This shows how the body butter holds its peaks, much like beaten egg whites.  This recipe fills up the mixer bowl and makes a good bit.  Of course, you could divide the recipe in half if you'd like.

This picture shows how many glass jars were filled, plus the one orange Tupperware container.  These will keep for about a year if kept in a cool place (Preferably around 70 degrees, but at least below 75 degrees).  They make nice little gifts too.  In fact, I ready gave one to our next door neighbors.

Peanut Butter Suet to Attract a Variety of Birds

by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart - 2018

This recipe attracts a wide variety of birds to our sundeck and provides entertainment and opportunities to capture birds in action via photographs as well.

Birds that love this suet recipe are:
Cardinals
Bluebirds
Carolina Wrens
House Wrens
Nuthatches
Red-bellied Woodpeckers
Downy Woodpeckers
Tufted titmice
Black-capped Chickadees
Mockingbirds
Bluejays
Catbirds
Goldfinches
House Finches
Sparrows

We've also had starlings and crows from time to time, but not often.  When they come, I just bring the suet inside for a day or so and the problem is gone. 

I never found the need to measure when I made this suet until several people asked for the recipe.  Basically, it should be the consistency of playdough.  I use the least inexpensive ingredients and figured the cost of this recipe to be about $10, which is certainly well worth the enjoyment it brings!

Peanut Butter Suet
1 large can of shortening (2 lb, 10 oz.)
1 large container of peanut butter (4 lb.)
1 bag of all-purpose flour (5 lb.) plus at least 6 more cups
   (Cornmeal or other flour may be used - even buggy flour but no salt or other ingredients)

Directions:
1.  In a large basin, cream the shortening and peanut butter with a hand mixer. 
2.  Gradually add in the flour, mixing well before adding more.  If you can mix in a little more flour than a 5 lb. bag and 6 cups, go ahead.  You may need to use a large metal spoon toward the end of mixing.
3.  The birds like it either way but it's less sticky if you can incorporate a little more flour.

I used to form the suet into cakes, but find it's easier to store it in empty shortening cans and scoop it out onto small dishes as needed.  I serve it on small Pfaltzgraff snack trays that I got for 29 cents each at an outlet, but saucers would work as well.  Press the suet onto the dish.

Because of squirrels and raccoons, I bring in the suet each evening and set it out every morning.  So far we have seen no bears on our deck, and we'd like to keep it that way.  When I set it out in the morning the birds hear the kitchen door and sometimes they are at the feeders before I get inside the house.  I hope I'm not turning them into "welfare birds" as my husband sometimes jokingly calls them, but he enjoys watching them and learning the different varieties and their antics.

As far as beautiful songbirds though, if you make this suet, they will come!  They much prefer this over suet on which I've wasted my money.

Below are just a few photos I've taken from inside my kitchen as the suet attracts a good variety of birds to our sundeck, trees, and backyard! 

Another fun hobby has developed from making this suet and photography.  I enjoy making handmade cards from some of the photos, although I make too many cards to send so I package one or more in cellophane envelopes to use as little unexpected gifts.
Happy Birdwatching!

22 Ideas to Help Your Children Study And Love the Bible

http://www.as4me.net/22-ideas-to-help-your-children-study-and-love-the-bible/
by Michelle Brock
Used by permission

(Note from Lois: This is an excellent article and grandparents, we can do our part by making a Bible verse booklet for each of our grandchildren, consisting for scriptures to memorize.  For me, this is a work in progress.)

Download the 22 Ideas as a PDF

The first time I became aware of my mom’s love for God’s Word, my brother and I were racing around the living room playing hockey. At some point, I noticed my mom calmly reading her Bible on our bright orange couch, and I ran to get my little Gideon New Testament to “read” next to her. I probably sat 20 seconds before getting up and running somewhere else.

Today I laugh with understanding, thinking of my mama reading the Bible with noisy children running around, and I have a strong desire to pass on the love of God’s Word that she shared with me that day.

As an educator and mother, I have noticed that children learn to love God’s Word differently than adults. They’re still learning to read, and lack many higher-level thinking skills adults use as they study the Bible.

Children learn to love God’s Word
differently than adults. 

Children can also respond in surprising ways when parents teach them about spiritual things. They may get bored quickly. If you ask them if they want to hear what God taught you that morning, they might say no. They don’t pick up the Bible with the combination of discipline and joy that we parents have developed. Instead, we may see periods of interest and delight, followed by apparent disinterest.

If we confuse their developmental limitations with a lack of interest, we may miss the very real ways that children are responding to the work of the Holy Spirit within them.

For the last few years, I’ve been gathering the ideas we’ve found helpful for nurturing our children’s interest and skill in reading the Bible. My children don’t yet read the Bible voraciously, and I’m still asking God for wisdom, but perhaps some of our approaches may encourage you to try some new ideas with your own family.

Here are 22 ideas to help children study and love the Bible:

(1) Help children write out favorite verses in a handmade book, or on index cards to tape on their wall next to their beds. They may enjoy making and printing “business cards” with verses and clip art. These also make good gifts!

(2) Consider allowing children to stay up later than normal if they are reading or listening to their Bible in their rooms. This reward is highly motivating to my night owl, although not as motivating for my child who goes to sleep within two minutes of laying his head on the pillow.
(3) Download an audio Bible (here’s one free resource) and give children the means of listening to it in their rooms. I used to think that my son was not interested in the Bible, but when he could listen to it, I got a better sense of his actual interest level. Listening also enables children to understand more of the Bible than reading alone, because of pronunciation and dramatic/auditory cues.
(4) Teach them that a child doesn’t have to be a good reader to love and obey the Bible! Ask them how the foolish man who built his house on the sand was different than the wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27). Hint: It isn’t “build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ”!
(5) Show children how to search for verses on a topic online (such as BibleGateway.com), or with a concordance. Teach them the Bible study tools and apps that you use. Some of my best Bible memories as a child were of my dad helping me use the Bible reference works in his library.
(6) If children use an electronic Bible, help them use it more effectively. Show them how to use the search function, or pronunciation/dictionary features, and so on. I grew up loving the center margin cross references in my Bible, and I look for a Bible with cross references for my children. I’ve shown them how cross references help them find an original prophecy, similar verses, or the  harmony of the gospels.
(7) Help children make a chain of verses in their Bibles by writing another reference on the same topic in the margin. Making connections is one way children (and parents) learn to be active and happy students of God’s Word.
(8) Encourage your children to memorize the books of the Bible. Sword drills are a simple and enjoyable way for children to practice locating verses in a print Bible and grow in confidence as they increase skill.
(9) Teach them to use the maps in their Bibles. I spent one day helping them find places in the maps at the back of their Bibles when we were reading through Acts. Helping children locate the exact location communicates that the Bible is reliable and true, and is especially helpful for spatial learners.
(10) Help children identify Bible synonyms for everyday concepts. For example, if they want to know what the Bible has to say about “fighting,” show them how the Bible includes other words like strife, wars, contention, and so on.
(11) Help children identify Bible opposites as they study. Ask, “What is the opposite of love? What is the opposite of pride?” Show them the Bible opposites in Ephesians 4:25-32.
(12) Talk about the process of actively reading: “After I read a passage, I wonder how…” and pause to see if they can finish the sentence. If not, you can supply your own ideas. For example, if I’m reading where Jesus tells me to take up my cross and follow him, I am going to ask myself (and my children), “When I read this verse, I wonder how to obey it. What does that mean, to take up my cross? Is there something else in the passage that gives me a clue?” Then we can turn these questions into prayers or further discussions.
(13) When I want to guide children into applying Scripture, I’m more successful when I share three or four possible responses and ask them to pick one to pray about, or apply in some specific way. Children also do well if we supply a scenario and ask them how to apply a particular verse. If I ask how they might apply God’s Word when someone yells at them on the soccer field, or when a sibling is mean to them, they can usually take the next step. Children need to know good doctrine, but they also need to see how they can actively read and respond to the text on their own.
(14) Help young children find and highlight verses they have memorized, even if they haven’t yet become fluent readers. Show them how highlighting these verses makes it easy to scan the Bible and find them again quickly. Verses that are already memorized are the easiest verses for new and struggling readers to find in the Bible and actually read. Yes, they may highlight strange verses, or highlight too many, but I have always enjoyed having a glimpse into my children’s independent spiritual life when they proudly show me what they’ve marked. My youngest daughter, Laurel, was especially delighted when I helped her find her favorite verses and showed her how to use a card to highlight in a straight line. Then she could read her Bible just like her older siblings.

(15) Teach them verses that correspond to their interests. My son loves bird verses. On the other hand, my daughter Bethel likes horse verses, and I don’t yet have a good sense of the verses that my youngest daughter likes. Every once in awhile, I tell one of them, “I have a verse for you.” and then I read it to them, or give them a paper with the reference on it.
(16) Teach them verses that can help them in their specific circumstance. When Bethel told me she was having a hard time being afraid at night, I showed her some Psalms about going to sleep. I discovered later that she highlighted those verses and learned them well. Another time, I helped David label some Psalms—“when I am discouraged,” “when others are being mean,” “when I can’t sleep,” and so on. Like my children, I am excited when I see the relevance of God’s Word to my life, when I see that God has given me everything I need for life and godliness. However, I’m learning children don’t always get the connection without someone specifically teaching it.
(17) One of the motivations I had growing up for reading God’s Word was watching my mom and dad love and study God’s Word. It challenges me to remember that I am teaching my children to love, by what I love.
(18) I have been especially challenged to remember that  I can nurture a love for God’s Word, but I cannot create it. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. Remembering the work of the Holy Spirit drives me to pray more fervently for my children, and also to rest in his provision for the results of my labor.

Remembering the Holy Spirit’s work
drives me to pray more. 

(19) If you like to read, check out I Read It, But I Don’t Get It by Chris Tovani, and How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler (I’m partial to the old, out-of-print edition). Neither of these books is about reading the Bible specifically, but they both address the process of becoming an active reader. You may find them inspiring as I did. One important idea from these books is that good readers aren’t terribly concerned about gaps in their understanding as they read. In fact, those gaps actually cause them to be more alert and more active as they read. Help your children not to fear how much they don’t understand. Teach them that good readers have lots of questions as they read, and encourage them to keep going and to keep asking questions when they don’t understand.

(20) When it comes to choosing a translation, remember it’s not just about the reading level. Children who grow up in Christian homes learn at some point not to worry about what is too difficult. Some verses will be difficult regardless of the translation; likewise, even a more difficult to read translation will have passages that most young readers can read. For any translation, parents can help the child by finding places that he can read and understand.
(21) Consider purchasing for your children the translation your church uses. New readers have great difficulty following along with public reading of God’s Word when their Bible is different than the one being read. In fact, our ability as adults to read and listen to two different texts is quite complex.
(22) One of the projects our family worked on together was compiling Scripture verses on topics we were interested in. When the children discussed certain problems, we would add a new topic. Talking about Bible topics and collecting verses was a rewarding and happy time for our family. Gradually, the topics grew into a book that we decided to share with others.

Learn more about the Topical Bible for Kids below. And if you’d like a PDF version of this article to take with you or share with others, download it now: 

Download the 22 Ideas (PDF)

Michelle Brock is the author of the Topical Bible for Kids. She comes from a family of Bible lovers, and is passionate about sharing that love with her husband and three children. She also loves the coffee her husband roasts weekly, the poetry of TS Eliot, rocks, and seashells. Send Michelle a note at brockme@gmail.com or on Twitter @michelleebrock.

Empathy and Sensitivity in Problem-Solving

For more ideas about emotionally connecting with children and helping to soften their hearts, consider the book Parenting is Heart Work by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
www.biblicalparenting.org 
Used by permission

Sometimes a parent is ready to offer a solution to a child before that child is ready to receive it. In fact, many times children share problems with parents because they want sympathy, not solutions.  If you move into a problem-solving mode too quickly, you may get resistance from your child.

Try to discern whether your child is ready to hear some possible solutions. Asking permission is an excellent way to do that. "Would you like an idea?" "Would you like to hear how other people might solve that problem?" If you launch into solutions before your child is ready, you’ll find yourself getting frustrated at the child's lack of responsiveness to your suggestions. A simple question can open the door for permission to offer solutions.

By the way dads, you might try this with your wife, as well. Those who are problem-solvers need to recognize that sometimes people present a problem just because they want to be cared for, not because they don't have answers. Your wife or child may be fully capable of solving the problem. But first she just wants a listening ear, someone to stand beside her in the problem.

It's not enough to have answers to people's problems. We also must be sensitive enough to know what is needed in the situation. Resist the temptation to offer solutions until you sense your child is ready to hear them. Empathy goes a long way in building emotional bonds with those we love.

For more ideas about emotionally connecting with children and helping to soften their hearts, consider the book Parenting is Heart Work by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN. 

The Funny Side of Parenting

National Center for Biblical Parenting
www.biblicalparenting.org
Used by permission

Never Having Kids!
We live in a fast-paced world with microwave ovens, drive through restaurants, and quick-serve everything.  It does something to the way kids think.
A little girl said to her friend, "I'm never having kids!  I hear they take nine months to download!"

On His Deathbed
Mr Jenkins, on his deathbed, knew the end was near. His nurse, his wife, his daughter, and his two sons were with him. He asked for two witnesses to be present and a camcorder be in place to record his last wishes, and when all was ready he began to speak:
    "My son, Bernie, I want you to take the Mayfair houses."
    "My daughter, Sybil, you take the apartments over in the east end."
    "My son, Jamie, I want you to take the offices over in the City Centre."
    "Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings on the banks of the river."
    The nurse and witnesses are blown away as they didn't realize his extensive holdings, and as Bill slipped away, the nurse said, "Mrs. Jenkins, your husband must have been such a hard-working man to have accumulated all this property."
    The wife replied, "He had a paper route."


Taking a Walk with Newborn Daughter
One afternoon I was walking on a trail with my newborn daughter in the stroller. I chatted to her about the scenery and the weather as we went along. When a man and his dog approached, I leaned over and half whispered, "See the doggy?"
Suddenly I felt a little silly talking to a baby as if she understood me. But just as the man passed, I noticed he reached down, patted his dog and said, "See the baby?"

Mom Makes Periodic Table Battleships To Teach Her Kids Chemistry

https://pulptastic.com/explosive-chemistry/

The classic game of Battleships has been given an educational, but still great fun, update by a homeschooling mom to teach her kids basic chemistry (and military strategy).

Teaching Children How to Face Life's Challenges

This idea comes from Chapter 37 in the book The Christian Parenting Handbook by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
Used by permission
 
Problems make great opportunities to teach children how to face life’s challenges. There are two kinds of people in the world: solvers and whiners. Whiners complain about life, feel like victims, and believe that others cause their problems. If others would just change, then they’d be happy.

Solvers, on the other hand, look for solutions, recognize that they can impact others, and feel empowered to change life. If they can’t solve the problem themselves, they know where to go to get solutions.

Helping children move from being whiners to being solvers starts in the way they talk about problems or bring them to their parents. The very words they use are important. When Johnny comes into the kitchen and says, “I’m hungry,” try saying, “Johnny, that’s focusing on the problem. Tell me the solution.”

Johnny’s response can be, “Mom, could I please have a snack?” That’s using words to focus on the solution. Don’t wait for the whiny voice to indicate a complaining heart. Look for word cues and you’ll be able to bring about change more quickly and effectively.

When Lori yells, “I can’t find my boots!” that’s focusing on the problem. It would be better for her to say, “Dad, would you please help me find my boots?”

Maybe you think this is only semantics. But the words children use to bring problems to their parents can mean all the difference in the way they view themselves and the world. Whining is often the sign of a victim mentality. Children who believe they’re victims are often angry and resentful because everyone else is the cause of their problems. They don’t believe they can change anything, so they may as well just complain about it.

Remember that frustration can be a great teacher and provides internal motivation to find a solution. When parents solve too many problems, children come to rely on parental solutions because it’s the easy way out.

Philippians 2:14 talks about having a good attitude with tasks when it says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” That’s great advice for the family.

 

Sibling Rivalry

This idea comes from Chapter 39 in the book The Christian Parenting Handbook by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN. Click here to see the Table of Contents.

Used by permission

Competition between siblings is often demonstrated by the statement, "That's not fair" or "What about him?" Competition stems from comparison and often creates conflict in relationships between brothers and sisters.

Here's an idea that will go a long way to reduce the comparison and competition between your children. Treat each child uniquely and don't even try to treat all your kids the same. Intentionally give them different privileges, assignments, and responsibilities. Avoid grouping the children by saying things like, "Kids, it's time to eat" or "Boys, let's get in the car." Instead, use each child’s name and give separate instructions. "Bill, please wash your hands and come to dinner." "Karen, come join us now for dinner?"

When children compare themselves to each other they say they want equality, but that's not really true. What each child wants is to feel special. When you treat them uniquely and focus on each child individually, you'll be surprised how much comparison and competition are reduced in your family.

After all, God doesn't treat us all the same. He treats us each uniquely. John 21:15-23 contains a fascinating story that often happens in families today. Jesus is telling Peter how he is going to die. Peter turns and looks at another disciple and says, "What about him?" Jesus answers, "What is that to you? You follow me." In essence, Jesus was saying, "I treat each person uniquely. You worry about yourself." What a great lesson to apply to our families. Treat people uniquely and special instead of trying to treat them all equally or the same.