Forum Navigation
You need to log in to create posts and topics.
5/08/07 HONORING MOTHERS, QUOTES, GIFTS, GRANDPARENTING
#1 · May 8, 2007, 10:44 pm
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman
~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~
5/08/07 HONORING MOTHERS, QUOTES, GIFTS, GRANDPARENTING
~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~
IN THIS ISSUE:
ATTENTION EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO USE AOL
HONOR TO MOTHERS AND ALL WOMEN TODAY AND ALWAYS!
EVERY DAY'S A MOTHER'S DAY
THE HAND THAT ROCKS, RULES!
SCRIPTURES AND QUOTES FOR MOMS
READY TO TREAT MOM?
3 HOMEMADE GIFTS THAT GRANDMA WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE
3 HOMEMADE GIFTS THAT GRANDMA WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE
BUTTERFLIES (Another small project for children)
GRANDPARENTING "OVER THE MILES"
TERRACOTTA COUNTRY GARDEN COLLAGE
TIPS & TIDBITS
TIPS & TIDBITS
HEALTHY AND CONVENIENT SNACK IDEAS
DELICIOUS AND LOVELY ~ FOR BREAKFAST, APPETIZER, DESSERT OR A SNACK!
PASTA SALAD WITH HONEY-DIJON DRESSING
RANCH STYLE VEGGIE PIZZA
MESSAGE FROM A "HEART TO HEART" SUBSCRIBER
WHAT A SON!
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
ATTENTION EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO USE AOL
I was told by the server I use in sending this newsletter that Heart to Heart is considered as "spam" by some AOL users. Too many spam reports about Heart to Heart will result in this group being deleted by the server I use.
So please take care that Heart to Heart Newsletters do not appear as spam. Thanks!
Here's how:
HONOR TO MOTHERS AND ALL WOMEN TODAY AND ALWAYS!
Never underestimate your job as a mother! Your godly influence will be passed on to future generations. Although being a mother can certainly be difficult at times, it is also the most rewarding job on earth. For those of you who are just plain worn out, memorize this scripture as a daily reminder of the Source of daily strength: "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." - Jeremiah 31: 25
For the young ladies who long for a child to hold and nurture, I pray the Lord will give you the desires of your heart. For those who have lost a child through miscarriage or after birth, you will find encouragement at http://fly.to/OperationAngel. Jo Ann Taylor is a dear Heart to Heart friend whom I've had the wonderful privilege of meeting, and her ministry is extremely helpful to so many.
EVERY DAY'S A MOTHER'S DAY
Source unknown - Thanks to Linda Crosby in Virginia for sending this beautiful reading!
For those who are fortunate enough to still be blessed by having your Mom with you, this is beautiful. For those who aren't, it is even more beautiful. It takes my breath!
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said, "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning." But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, and taught them how to tie their shoes, reminded them to feed the dog, and do their homework and brush their teeth. The sun shone on them, and the young mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."
Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this, she gave them strength to face the world.
Year after year, she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all ... unconditional love. And when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."
The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."
And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her their strength, just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill, they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them."
And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."
Your mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore. She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well; she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow. She is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. A mother shows every emotion - happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow - and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space ... not even death!
Year after year, she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all ... unconditional love. And when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."
The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."
And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her their strength, just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill, they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them."
And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."
Your mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore. She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well; she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow. She is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. A mother shows every emotion - happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow - and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space ... not even death!
THE HAND THAT ROCKS, RULES!
Recognizing the Spiritual Power of Motherhood
by Patti Chadwick ~ http://www.parentsandteens.com - www.familytymes.org - Used by permission
Unlike today's culture, the Bible honors mothers. Proverbs 31:30 tells us that "A woman who fears and reverences God, shall be greatly praised."
Today's world does not respect motherhood. In days gone by a mother's role and position were given high esteem, but today motherhood is passed off as just another duty of the modern, many faceted woman. In our culture if a woman wants to feel like she has accomplished something with her life, she needs to look outside the family. What a shame.
The ideology of today's culture can never truly compete with godly motherhood in the acquiring of power. Ultimately, power is the ability to influence the decisions and actions of other people. Few will be willing to follow a leader committed to selfishness, yet we are willingly guided by a person who genuinely loves us. So you see, the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world for one simple reason: sacrificial love is inherently more trustworthy than selfishness.
Many times mothers spend the first six years of their child's life nurturing them. They take special pains to mold their child's ideals and values. They read them Bible stories, spend time teaching them right from wrong, take them to Vacation Bible School, and make sure they attend Sunday school. Then, when the child is old enough to attend school, they all too often feel that their "job" is complete and they move their focus elsewhere.
I find this especially true of parents of teenagers. During the teen years parents generally ease up in their parenting role. Many moms take on full-time jobs or return to college full-time, feeling that their kids are old enough to take care of themselves. Sad mistake. It's at this point, when our children enter the world of outer influence that they need our time and attention most! The pressure to disembark on a wayward journey from the straight and narrow is enormous. We need to be careful at this time not to lose our influence over our children.
2 John 8 tells us, "Watch out, so that you do not lose the prize for which we have been working so hard. Be diligent so that you will receive your full reward."
Remember, moms, you have great influence. God gave you a calling. You need to follow through and finish out your stint in motherhood strongly.
Excerpted from "The Hand that Rocks, Rules!" by Patricia Chadwick, P.C. Publications, 2003.
Patti Chadwick is the creator of http://www.parentsandteens.com and familytymes.org, an online magazine offering encouragement to today's busy family. She is also the creator of historyswomen.com, an online magazine highlighting the extraordinary achievements of women throughout history.
SCRIPTURES AND QUOTES FOR MOMS
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. - Exodus 20:12
Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God. - Leviticus 19:3
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. - Deuteronomy 5:16
"As a mother, my job is to take care of what is possible and trust God with the impossible." -- Ruth Bell Graham
"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children." -- Charles R. Swindoll
"The decision to have a child is to accept that your heart will forever walk about outside of your body." -- Katherine Hadley
"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children." -- Charles R. Swindoll
"The decision to have a child is to accept that your heart will forever walk about outside of your body." -- Katherine Hadley
"In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time." -- Author Unknown
"It is at our mother's knee that we acquire our noblest and truest and highest ideals." -- Mark Twain
"Mothers are the most instinctive philosophers." -- Harriet Beecher Stowe
"What you teach your own children is what you really believe in." -- Cathy Warner Weatherford
"Men are what their mothers made them." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Mother is the one we count on for the things that matter most of all." -- Katherine Butler Hathaway
"It is at our mother's knee that we acquire our noblest and truest and highest ideals." -- Mark Twain
"Mothers are the most instinctive philosophers." -- Harriet Beecher Stowe
"What you teach your own children is what you really believe in." -- Cathy Warner Weatherford
"Men are what their mothers made them." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Mother is the one we count on for the things that matter most of all." -- Katherine Butler Hathaway
"Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; A mother's secret hope outlives them all." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." - Lin Yutang
"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." - George Washington
"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." - Abraham Lincoln
"Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to 'jump at de sun.' We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground." - Zora Neale Hurston
"A happy family is but an earlier heaven." -- John Bowring
"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." --Unknown
"Children are the sum of what mothers contribute to their lives." --Unknown
"The soul is healed by being with children." -- Fyodor Dostoyevsky
"In raising my children, I have lost my mind but found my soul." -- Lisa T. Shepherd
"How can you say there are too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers." -- Mother Theresa
"A mother who is really a mother is never free." -- Honore De Balzac
"If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart." -- A mom to five children
"Sooner or later we all quote our mothers." -- Bern Williams
"All mothers are rich when they love their children." -- Maurice Maeterlinck
"All mothers are rich when they love their children." -- Maurice Maeterlinck
"Every mother is like Moses. She does not enter the promised land. She prepares a world she will not see." -- Pope Paul VI
"If my father was the head of our house, my mother was its heart." -- Irving Pichel
"Mother's love grows by giving." -- Charles Lamb
"If my father was the head of our house, my mother was its heart." -- Irving Pichel
"Mother's love grows by giving." -- Charles Lamb
"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." -- Honore' de Balzac
"Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction." -- Anne Sullivan
"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom." -- Henry Ward Beecher
"Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction." -- Anne Sullivan
"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom." -- Henry Ward Beecher
"What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?" -- Louisa May Alcott
"The age of your children is a key factor in how quickly you are served in a restaurant. We once had a waiter in Canada who said, "Could I get you your check?" and we answered, "How about the menu first?" -- Erma Bombeck
"Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts." -- Author Unknown
READY TO TREAT MOM?
by Cindy Rushton - http://www.CindyRushton.com - Used by permission
Ok! Tell me that you have NOT forgotten her? Well ... here are some ideas of some treats that your Mom just might like! Not just on Mother's Day!
Make her homemade cookies (and clean the kitchen)!
Write or copy a poem for her! Frame it for her to display in the house.
Plan a Day of Pampering Her! HER FAVORITE WAY! Whatever SHE wants! Nice bubble bath. Breakfast in bed. Cuddle up to watch old movies. Go for a long walk. Whatever SHE likes!
Plan a Movie Night! Stay up watching movies and munching on popcorn, chocolate, and giant cokes!
Go for a long, relaxed walk on a walking trail. Take your time. Talk, really talk! Laugh! Enjoy making a memory!
Make a list of 50 compliments for her! Let her know how great she is and how thankful you are for her!
Watch the sunset together. Don't talk!
What's Her Favorite Candy? Give her 20 ... 50 pounds of it! FOR REAL! FORGET the diet today!!
Go for a picnic Yes! Pack a basket full of great food grab a nice, thick quilt and go to your favorite spot for a picnic. One of our favorite spots is on the Natchez Trace right by a gorgeous, bubbling spring. Where do you like to go? A waterfall? Park? Lakeside?
Plan a candlelight bath for her! Put on a relaxing CD playing in the background. Set out candles. Turn off the lights. Run a hot Bubble bath with rose petals sprinkled lightly in the bath and in a trail to the bath tub. Set out warm towels/robe/lotion. Be sure that EVERYONE in the house just leaves her alone for a nice break. Set out a new basket with a surprise of lotions, perfume, and mommy treats!
Take her out for a Latte. AND a Latte Talk!
Take Her for a Ride in the Country. Enjoy the Spring flowers ... (or Fall Foliage...or Snow --depending on where you live and when you read this! ha). Take the ride in a convertible or on a motorcycle. Blast your Praise and Worship Music ... or her favorite CD!
Make a Card for her with those Scrapbooking Supplies!
Try Your Hand at Writing a Poem for Her! Frame it!
Send her to a Bed and Breakfast! For the weekend!
Take her to a local Malt Shop! Let her get her OWN Malt and just talk... Yep! It is OK to get one for YOU too!
Make up Mommy Coupons! Make them for special things that you can do for her -- a week of dishes (without complaining OR being asked) ... etc.
Make and Set up Her Breakfast on the Deck! Include all of her favorite goodies!
Surprise her with a scrapbook JUST for her! Try a scrapbook about your favorite memories
by Cindy Rushton - http://www.CindyRushton.com - Used by permission
Ok! Tell me that you have NOT forgotten her? Well ... here are some ideas of some treats that your Mom just might like! Not just on Mother's Day!
Make her homemade cookies (and clean the kitchen)!
Write or copy a poem for her! Frame it for her to display in the house.
Plan a Day of Pampering Her! HER FAVORITE WAY! Whatever SHE wants! Nice bubble bath. Breakfast in bed. Cuddle up to watch old movies. Go for a long walk. Whatever SHE likes!
Plan a Movie Night! Stay up watching movies and munching on popcorn, chocolate, and giant cokes!
Go for a long, relaxed walk on a walking trail. Take your time. Talk, really talk! Laugh! Enjoy making a memory!
Make a list of 50 compliments for her! Let her know how great she is and how thankful you are for her!
Watch the sunset together. Don't talk!
What's Her Favorite Candy? Give her 20 ... 50 pounds of it! FOR REAL! FORGET the diet today!!
Go for a picnic Yes! Pack a basket full of great food grab a nice, thick quilt and go to your favorite spot for a picnic. One of our favorite spots is on the Natchez Trace right by a gorgeous, bubbling spring. Where do you like to go? A waterfall? Park? Lakeside?
Plan a candlelight bath for her! Put on a relaxing CD playing in the background. Set out candles. Turn off the lights. Run a hot Bubble bath with rose petals sprinkled lightly in the bath and in a trail to the bath tub. Set out warm towels/robe/lotion. Be sure that EVERYONE in the house just leaves her alone for a nice break. Set out a new basket with a surprise of lotions, perfume, and mommy treats!
Take her out for a Latte. AND a Latte Talk!
Take Her for a Ride in the Country. Enjoy the Spring flowers ... (or Fall Foliage...or Snow --depending on where you live and when you read this! ha). Take the ride in a convertible or on a motorcycle. Blast your Praise and Worship Music ... or her favorite CD!
Make a Card for her with those Scrapbooking Supplies!
Try Your Hand at Writing a Poem for Her! Frame it!
Send her to a Bed and Breakfast! For the weekend!
Take her to a local Malt Shop! Let her get her OWN Malt and just talk... Yep! It is OK to get one for YOU too!
Make up Mommy Coupons! Make them for special things that you can do for her -- a week of dishes (without complaining OR being asked) ... etc.
Make and Set up Her Breakfast on the Deck! Include all of her favorite goodies!
Surprise her with a scrapbook JUST for her! Try a scrapbook about your favorite memories
... a scrapbook about her business ("I love ME book"), a scrapbook about her life (include stories and letters from other loved ones!).
Make a special meal JUST for her. Everyone pitch in! Let Dad grill ... kids get all of the veggies and bread ready ... and surprise her!
Go play goofy golf or basketball!
Make homemade ice-cream! Her favorite flavor!
Make Banana Splits!! Pick up all of the "fixins" and plan an evening to make your own Banana Splits JUST LIKE YOU like them!
Get a big basket or treasure chest FULL of her favorite candy or candy bars!
Don't want to bust her diet? Get a big basket or treasure chest FULL of soaps, lotions, toiletries. You can even buy great sets at Bath and Body Works! OR ... if she is "into" gardening -- make up a basket with all of those goodies she has not gotten for herself!
Take her to the Mall or a Bookstore and let her pick WHATEVER she wants!
Make a special memory!
Make a special meal JUST for her. Everyone pitch in! Let Dad grill ... kids get all of the veggies and bread ready ... and surprise her!
Go play goofy golf or basketball!
Make homemade ice-cream! Her favorite flavor!
Make Banana Splits!! Pick up all of the "fixins" and plan an evening to make your own Banana Splits JUST LIKE YOU like them!
Get a big basket or treasure chest FULL of her favorite candy or candy bars!
Don't want to bust her diet? Get a big basket or treasure chest FULL of soaps, lotions, toiletries. You can even buy great sets at Bath and Body Works! OR ... if she is "into" gardening -- make up a basket with all of those goodies she has not gotten for herself!
Take her to the Mall or a Bookstore and let her pick WHATEVER she wants!
Make a special memory!
3 HOMEMADE GIFTS THAT GRANDMA WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE
By Angela Billings - http://www.homeandfamilyezine.com - Used by permission
(Note from Lois: When our daughter, Joy, was small I helped her make a beaded bracelet as instructed in #2 below. She painted the beads different pastel colors before threading them onto thin elastic. I have saved that little bracelet all these years and hang it on our Christmas tree each year. I'm looking forward to doing the same project in a few years with Joy's daughter - the granddaughter we are expecting this summer! For project #3, lids from frozen juice cans work well.)
Grandmas love handmade gifts from their grandchildren and I hope you find these crafts enjoyable. They are to be done with adult supervision, not just for safety reasons but to make memories with your kids and have fun with them.
1.Vase - For this craft you will need brown shoe polish, masking tape, an old rag and an old vase or a pretty shaped jar or clean bottle with no labels on it. Have the children tear small pieces of the masking tape about 1 or 2 inches long and put over the jar, overlapping as you go. Do this until the jar is covered and then apply the shoe polish all over the taped jar and then wipe off with the rag and let it dry. Grandma will love it!
2. Homemade Necklace Beads - To make these you will need to follow these instructions.
* 3/4 c. flour * 1/2 c. cornstarch * 1/2 c. salt * warm water
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Gradually add warm water until mixture can be kneaded into a stiff dough. To help with stickiness, dust with flour. Children can roll into balls for beads. Pierce each with a toothpick for hole to thread onto string. Air dry and paint. Then string on a piece of colorful ribbon or elastic to make a bracelet or necklace.
3. Refrigerator Magnet - Begin by tracing a small can lid onto brightly colored paper. Cut the circle slightly smaller than the outline, and glue it inside the rim of the lid. To this colorful background, attach a photo of the child. Glue lace or trim around the rim of the lid and add a tiny bow if desired. Attach a self-adhesive magnet strip to the back of the lid . You can make several of these using different pictures of the family.
Angela Billings is founder of Home and Family Ezine and provides recipes and tips for making your house a home you can discover more at http://www.homeandfamilyezine.com
BUTTERFLIES (Another small project for children)
Butterflies can be made from 2 liter clear plastic pop bottles. Cut a pattern of a nice sized butterfly and then cut it out from the side of the bottle, reverse it and paint it. These make the neatest objects to hang from the ceiling or you can make them a little smaller for pins for the Mothers. Use your imagination by adding feathers, eyes, tentacles or just whatever you want.
This idea came from http://www.SundaySchoolNetwork.com with Sarah Keith - Used by permission
GRANDPARENTING "OVER THE MILES"
By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]
Grandparenting "over the miles" takes extra effort. Let me share a few ways it can be done.
When our first grandchild, Justin, was only a few months old, our daughter, Joy, had pictures of each family member (Daddy's family and Mommy's) in two vinyl childproof books and reviewed everyone's picture with him regularly. Soon he smiled as he recognized faces, and later he would look at the person she mentioned, letting her know he knew us, even before he could even point to the pictures. So he learned who we all were, even with the extended miles between us.
During frequent phone calls, my daughter often puts her phone on "speaker," so our four year old grandson can carry on a conversation with Pawpa or Grammie while playing with play dough or his toys. Sometimes he's in the tub while talking to us on the phone. She has done this all along so he could hear our voice and we could hear his coos, and later his little messages and songs. Last night Joy asked him to tell me what he did the other day to surprise her. He said, "Oh! I cleaned up the whole playroom, because I thought Mommy would really like that! And she did!"
Justin absolutely loves trains, so I mail him train stickers and every train picture I can find. He loves it! When a small envelope comes from me, he tells me over the phone that he got my "package!" To him, it's much more than an envelope of stickers. He treasures them. His mommy is even helping him make a scrapbook out of his many pictures of trains, so I try my best to add to that.
During the past months I have read several books to our grandson, Justin, over the phone, and let his mother know she can call me anytime for me to read a book to him before naptime or bedtime. Since learning which duplicate books we have in their home and ours, I am able to read a book to him while he follows along, letting him know when to turn the page. We hope to soon increase the number of books on our "Phone Reading List." Sometimes he "reads" a story to me too, telling about all the pictures, which he did last evening.
When Justin's mommy was about nine years old, I recorded her reading storybooks aloud for her little brother. She would ring a bell when he was to turn the page. Her little brother loved hearing his big sister read to him, even while she was still in school! I made a copy of those audio tapes to take along to Justin's house soon, along with the corresponding books, so Justin can hear his mommie reading to him "when she was a little girl." That should be lots of fun for them both!
Whenever we visit our daughter's family in their home or they come to ours, I always have a few crafts or fun activities planned to do one-on-one with Justin. It's always a very special time!
Grandparents can have a big part in spiritual training and character building of their grandchildren, reinforcing the training they are already receiving from their parents. While visiting Justin and his family during his birthday week, his Pawpa and I helped prepare for his party. After several of his temper tantrums, which he's finally outgrowing, I hugged him and quietly prayed a brief prayer with him. After about three times of praying with him, later he came to me in a "time of need" and asked, "Grammie, will you pray with me?" It was a precious time. During our visit he also got upset with me once, but later, while we played with play dough together, building a train, he looked up at me, cocked his head and sweetly asked, "Grammie, will you forgive me for complaining so much?" Of course, I told him I would!
For years all of our family has been spending a week's vacation together at the beach, always having such wonderful times. In the past few years during our beach vacations, Justin has fallen in love with two very special young ladies, Emily and Rachael, and they are now his two new aunts. We are all looking forward to getting together for another time of family bonding again this year.
Before too long we are planning on having Justin come spend time at Pawpa and Grammie's house without his parents - as long as a week or so. Pawpa is already talking about things he can do with Justin in his workshop and by the time he comes, I will have projects lined up too!
Showering grandchildren with toys doesn't begin to compare with time spent playing or working together, listening, being a Christian example to follow, and teaching them truth and character.
TERRACOTTA COUNTRY GARDEN COLLAGE
By Jill Black - Used by permission
Materials:
* 1 Shadow Box approximately 45 x 50 cm (19 x 20 inches) or make a frame using pieces of wood and nail a wood back to the frame.
* 1 Terracotta 9cm (3 1/2 inch) diameter half pots (available from some craft supply stores or carefully cut 1 9cm pot in half)
* Dry Florists Foam to fit pot
* Dried flowers - Use a combination such as larkspur, lavender, daisy and safflower
* Dried green foliage
* Sphagnum moss
* Raffia
* Glue Gun
* 1 Shadow Box approximately 45 x 50 cm (19 x 20 inches) or make a frame using pieces of wood and nail a wood back to the frame.
* 1 Terracotta 9cm (3 1/2 inch) diameter half pots (available from some craft supply stores or carefully cut 1 9cm pot in half)
* Dry Florists Foam to fit pot
* Dried flowers - Use a combination such as larkspur, lavender, daisy and safflower
* Dried green foliage
* Sphagnum moss
* Raffia
* Glue Gun
How to Assemble:
1. Cut the foam to fit the half pots then glue the pot and foam onto the frame backing board.
2. Place the dried green foliage at the back of the pot graduating to either side of the pot in an "A" shape.
3. Place the safflower in between and fill in with sprigs of lavender, daisy and larkspur to form a posy. Use small pieces so the arrangement does not look too heavy.
4. Make a raffia bow and glue to the front of the pot.
5. Hang on the wall or give away as a gift.
Extra ideas:
- For a rustic effect glue lichen to the frame.
- Use velvet glued to the backing board, then glue the pot and foam onto the velvet. The black velvet as a backdrop will highlight the warmth of the terracotta and bring out the subtle colors of the dried flowers.
About the Author: Jill Black is the owner of Netwrite-Publish Home and Garden. For more home and garden ideas log on to http://www.netwrite-publish.com
TIPS & TIDBITS
Quick and Easy Dressing for Fruit ~ Fold 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts and 1 Tablespoon honey into 1 cup sour cream. - From Cyndi Roberts - http://www.cynroberts.com
Some Smart Shopping Tips ~
1) Go shopping when stores are less crowded. Weekdays are better than weekends.
Early in the week is less crowded than later.
2) Keep an up-to-date list of family members' clothing and shoe sizes in your purse.
3) Save time by shopping at home for big-ticket items before hitting the stores. Get recommendations from friends, read consumer-testing magazines and comparison shop on the web. - http://www.cyndiroberts.com - Used by permission
A Time-Saving Tip ~ Whenever possible, schedule appointments for first thing in the morning or right after the office's lunch break -- you'll get in before they get behind schedule! - http://www.cyndiroberts.com - Used by permission
1) Go shopping when stores are less crowded. Weekdays are better than weekends.
Early in the week is less crowded than later.
2) Keep an up-to-date list of family members' clothing and shoe sizes in your purse.
3) Save time by shopping at home for big-ticket items before hitting the stores. Get recommendations from friends, read consumer-testing magazines and comparison shop on the web. - http://www.cyndiroberts.com - Used by permission
A Time-Saving Tip ~ Whenever possible, schedule appointments for first thing in the morning or right after the office's lunch break -- you'll get in before they get behind schedule! - http://www.cyndiroberts.com - Used by permission
Favorite Recipes ~ Many of us have a few favorite recipes from various cookbooks. I write favorite recipe titles inside the cover of cookbooks to save time searching for them.
Too Many Cookbooks? ~ If you only use one or two recipes from a cookbook, why not cut down on clutter by getting rid of it? Go through your cookbooks, make copies of the few recipes you really love, and then sell some cookbooks on e-Bay or pass them on to others. I know how sentimental certain cookbooks can be to us women. Keep those and sell others.
Reducing ADHD Symptoms ~ As the weather warms in the Northern hemisphere, encourage your child to get outside more. Studies show that activity - especially if it takes place outside - reduces ADHD symptoms. Try practicing spelling words or math facts in the great outdoors. While you're studying, sit on a swing, kick a soccer ball back and forth, or dig in the garden. It just might make those math facts more fun! If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, and the days are getting longer and colder, it's still a good idea to get outside, but remember that inside activity works well, too. Let your child squeeze a stress ball, use modeling clay, doodle, or even bend chenille wire while listening. - by Kayla Fay, Editor of "Who Put the Ketchup in the Medicine Cabinet?" - http://www.goaskmom.com/ - Used by permission
37 Thousand Babies' Lives Have been Saved in the USA through "Operation Ultrasound," a ministry of Focus on the Family (http://www.family.org), by providing ultrasound machines to many Pregnancy Resource Centers. When a woman sees the baby inside her womb, it makes a huge difference and many choose to carry their babies to term as a result.
HEALTHY AND CONVENIENT SNACK IDEAS
Although these ideas come from http://www.babycenter.com, as suggestions for women while pregnant, they are great snacks for anyone.
Canned fruit. Skip those brands that saturate your "five a day" in sugary syrup.
Canned veggies. Most canned vegetables are packaged at the peak of freshness, preserving nutrients. Steer clear of added salt and preservatives.
Smoothies. Blend yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit, and all-natural juices. Add some spices a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg tastes great and you've got a great breakfast! Too busy to mix your own? Grab a yogurt drink and go.
Canned beans. Simple to prepare, inexpensive, and a good source of protein, iron, and zinc. Look out for too much sodium.
Berries, cottage cheese, and nuts. Mix these three together and you have antioxidants, protein, and calcium all in one package!
Sunflower seeds. They contain vitamin E, magnesium, folic acid and other B vitamins. Try to avoid the heavily salted varieties.
Edamame (soybeans). They're packed with vitamin A and protein. You can buy them already cooked and ready to eat in the produce department or precooked and frozen in the freezer section.
Air-popped popcorn. Make your own by putting 1/3 cup raw kernels in a brown lunch bag. Seal the bag tightly and microwave it for 2 1/2 minutes.
Canned veggies. Most canned vegetables are packaged at the peak of freshness, preserving nutrients. Steer clear of added salt and preservatives.
Smoothies. Blend yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit, and all-natural juices. Add some spices a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg tastes great and you've got a great breakfast! Too busy to mix your own? Grab a yogurt drink and go.
Canned beans. Simple to prepare, inexpensive, and a good source of protein, iron, and zinc. Look out for too much sodium.
Berries, cottage cheese, and nuts. Mix these three together and you have antioxidants, protein, and calcium all in one package!
Sunflower seeds. They contain vitamin E, magnesium, folic acid and other B vitamins. Try to avoid the heavily salted varieties.
Edamame (soybeans). They're packed with vitamin A and protein. You can buy them already cooked and ready to eat in the produce department or precooked and frozen in the freezer section.
Air-popped popcorn. Make your own by putting 1/3 cup raw kernels in a brown lunch bag. Seal the bag tightly and microwave it for 2 1/2 minutes.
DELICIOUS AND LOVELY ~ FOR BREAKFAST, APPETIZER, DESSERT OR A SNACK!
This refreshing dessert was served at breakfast by my dear friend, Carol Miller, in Pennsylvania, along with her husband, Curvin. I've made this at least three times since she recently served my husband and I a wonderful Tea House Style breakfast on their sunporch - with flowers, plants and birds all around.
Layer the following into pretty stemmed glass dishes or glasses:
Yogurt - I like to use the Dannon vanilla yogurt from the large container - about a quart.
(Strawberry yogurt with strawberries or the same with peaches, etc. are other options)
(Plain yogurt mixed with Stevia sweetener and vanilla is even healthier.)
Sliced strawberries (any fruit will do - fresh, frozen or canned - one or more)
A little more yogurt
A little more fruit
Sliced almonds, whole walnuts or granola
A sprig of fresh mint (If you don't have fresh mint, a tiny sprinkle of dried mint would be nice!)
PASTA SALAD WITH HONEY-DIJON DRESSING
Thanks to Carol Miller in Pennsylvania for this recipe, as well!
3 cups (8oz.) San Giorgio Rotelle, uncooked
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion, cut into halves or cut smaller
1/3 cup shredded fresh carrot
Honey-Dijon Dressing (recipe follows)
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool quickly; drain well. Meanwhile, prepare Honey Dijon Dressing. Stir in cooled pasta and remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. 7 servings (1 cup each)
Honey-Dijon Dressing:
In a large bowl, stir together 1/2 cup olive, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp. honey and 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard.
RANCH STYLE VEGGIE PIZZA
http://mommysavers.com/boards/cooking-recipes/ - Used by permission
1 unbaked pizza crust 1/2 cup chopped fresh broccoli
1 1/2 cup ranch-style salad dressing 1/2 cup chopped onion
2 c shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped cauliflower 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cup ranch-style salad dressing 1/2 cup chopped onion
2 c shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped cauliflower 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350. Put pizza on pan and spread with dressing. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, followed by carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, onion, red pepper, and mushrooms. Top with cheese. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
MESSAGE FROM A "HEART TO HEART" SUBSCRIBER
Greetings in the name of Jesus .... from India! I want to say thank you so much for being obedient to God in your calling. These newsletters that you send out are a great encouragement to me and I know a lot of others also. Keep it up! May the Lord bless you abundantly for your faithful heart to Him. I am a mother of three precious children. I am a missionary in India ... and a pastor's wife. I really need the encouragement and thank you so much for being there for me! Blessings to you! ~ Becca Gunti in India
WHAT A SON!
True Story: A mother of an eight year old boy found a dollar bill on her bed and asked her son where that came from. He said, "I put it there." She asked why he did that, and he said, "That's a tip for you, because you're a good mother." Wow! Now that's a sweet, sensitive boy, and he will also make a good husband some day! When children do things like that, we need to TELL them that they will make a good husband or wife some day.
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
The following three kids' quotes are from Rachel Suhr in Virginia:
"The other day, Naomi, my 5 year old asked me, "Mommy, how long is 'just a minute' "? "One minute," I told her. "Oh," she said, "Cause when you say, 'Just a minute,' it's a long time!"
Morgan, age 3 1/2, loves to drink strawberry milk. I was nursing Levi, my 6 month old yesterday, when Morgan asked me, "Mommy, which side is the strawberry milk?"
Wyatt, age 2, came into the kitchen today and told me his tummy hurt so he needed candy. I like that logic!
Morgan, age 3 1/2, loves to drink strawberry milk. I was nursing Levi, my 6 month old yesterday, when Morgan asked me, "Mommy, which side is the strawberry milk?"
Wyatt, age 2, came into the kitchen today and told me his tummy hurt so he needed candy. I like that logic!
From Becca Gunti in India:
When Jason (our older son) was two or three, someone asked him, "Why are you so cute?" and he responded, "Because I look like my mommy!" Of course I would remember that one.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! AND HAPPY DAUGHTER'S DAY TOO!
Many Heart to Heart ladies and their families need our prayers, so
please remember to pray for each Heart to Heart lady as you receive your newsletter.
(¨`·.·´¨) God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!
`·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) And remember, I love to hear from you dear ladies!
`·.¸.·´ Your Heart to Heart friend,
Lois
The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person to Lois at [email protected]. New subscribers will receive a "Start-Up Kit."
Disclaimer: Various web sites are given as credits or to supply additional information for readers. However, all the views and advertisements represented by web sites given in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the editor. Please use your own discretion regarding all information given in this newsletter.
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: [email protected]
