Quote from Forum Archives on December 31, 2011, 8:38 am

Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER 

ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN

http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com 

A categorized storehouse of information for you from past newsletters,

plus a second blog just for recipes!

 http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com/

 

Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman  

 

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Jan. 2012  Storage, Snow Masterpieces, Digestible Beans, Recipes, Microwaving, Devotionals

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IN THIS ISSUE: 

 

DISCOVERING BONUS STORAGE RIGHT IN YOUR OWN HOME
CREATIVE "BUILD-A-SNOWMAN" KIT
HOW TO COOK EASILY DIGESTIBLE BEANS
HUMMUS
GLUTEN FREE PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFINS
SLOW COOKER LASAGNA

A TIP ON MICROWAVING FOOD

DEVOTIONALS

PRECIOUS GEMS

 

 

DISCOVERING BONUS STORAGE RIGHT IN YOUR OWN HOME
by Lois Breneman - Copyright 2004 - Revised 2012 - Heart to Heart

 

All of us have probably thought how we need more storage space in our homes.  First of all, getting rid of all those things we really don't need will cut way down on the needed storage space.  I'm working on that, but it's easier said than done.  Then how about investigating every available space in your home and putting it to good use if you are still in need of more storage space?  Look around your home for items that serve as a decoration, but allow for hidden storage as well.  In many cases extra storage is available and just waiting to be found!  Here are some clues as to where you can discover extra bonus space right in your own home!  Think vertical! 

Hang a clear vinyl pocket organizer (shoe bag) inside the linen closet to hold Band-aids, bandages, tape, small tubes of medications, a thermometer, ball syringes, etc. Everything will be easy to see and locate quickly when needed.

A clear vinyl pocket organizer is effective when hung inside a broom closet to store Goo Gone, window cleaner, all purpose cleaner, rubbing alcohol, and other cleaning supplies.  Be sure to tuck in plenty of microfiber cloths or terry cloth squares, which I prefer.  An old bath towel (with no holes) can be cut into eighths to make the same number of wonderful cleaning cloths.  After rounding the corners, simply sew around each one using the zig-zag stitch on a sewing machine to prevent unraveling and lint.  These work great for numerous cleaning jobs and are virtually free!

 

Hang another clear vinyl pocket organizer inside the coat closet for sunglasses, gloves, scarves, fold up umbrellas, a lint brush, and other things you might need to grab before you go out the door.

 

Hang more clear vinyl pocket organizers inside your children's closet doors, unless the doors are louvered. I'm sure you will agree that small things stored in these pockets are so much better than scattered all around their rooms! And everything will be visible through the clear vinyl!

Store often-used information, taped inside kitchen cabinet doors.  A chart of family illnesses, giving each name, date, illness, and remedy, is a valuable chart to have at your fingertips.  Food substitutions are another handy piece of information, and I know we can all think of more information we'd like to keep handy.

 

If you are in the process of building or remodeling your home, you may want to consider adding one built-in locker for each family member - near the door, all in a row. I have seen this plan carried out in the home of a friend and the mother raved how they all loved the convenience of keeping each person's coat, boots, gloves, school books, backpack, etc. right by the door. The mother also loved how each person was responsible for his or her own personal locker!  A great idea!

If you have a deep closet or pantry where things seem to get lost, store items on trays that can be pulled out, so you have full access to everything and are able to find what you need.

 

Small round wooden tables, purchased for as little as $5 (on sale), can provide lovely hidden storage! With a round tablecloth draped down to the floor, no one will ever know what you have hidden there and it provides a nice decorative touch to a bedroom, living room, family room, great room, dining room or sun room. A round piece of glass can be purchased to set on top of the tablecloth for protection from spills. A large round lace doily or a smaller square piece of contrasting fabric placed over the tablecloth can change the whole appearance.

 

Use empty decorative ceramic containers for storage, as well as decoration. Examples: Pretty ginger jars, canisters, covered ceramic dishes, vases or teapots.  Large painted milk cans can hold umbrellas.

 

In the bathroom install shelves to set on top of or above the tank of the commode for additional space. Every bathroom can use more storage and this is an excellent vertical space to use.

 

Use a hanging shelf that slips over the shower head to hold shampoo, conditioner, and razors.  Racks are also available to hang on the side of a shower, when using an adhesive hook on the tile.

 

A shallow overhead shelf or two situated up high at the end of the bathtub is another possibility.

 

Slide under-the-bed boxes -- where else but under the beds!  I'm sure you can think of something to store in those (gifts, out-of-season shoes or clothing, etc.).  If a bed doesn't allow enough height for a box to fit under the mattress, the feet of the bed could be raised up a little on four blocks of wood (about 4" wide with a hollowed out area to hold the feet of the bed).  My husband rounded the corners as well, in order to prevent sore toes that might kick into the wood by accident.

 

Have you thought of storing things under sofas and chairs with skirts? Yes, even there!  Sofas with skirts are perfect for this, but not so easily found these days.

 

A shallow cabinet (about one or two inches deep) would be sufficient to hold necklaces and bracelets with cup hooks or even push pins to hold them. Hang it behind a bedroom door where it would be protected by a rubber door stop. A beautiful painting could even be attached to the front. Or use the space in the back of your bedroom closet to hang necklaces and bracelets.

Many closets have wooden strips around the wall for the shelves. Insert push pins into the wood to hang necklaces and bracelets. This works great and keeps them out of sight.

 

Hang bookshelves along the wall above a desk or computer to make good use of that unused space.

 

In many homes it would work to enclose the area under the stairs for storage, with a door. It's amazing how much can be stored there.

 

Inside a closet door, attach lightweight plastic-covered wire shelves designed to slip over the back of a door or fasten onto the inside of the door. This will hold so much and keep all the contents right at your fingertips.

 

If a closet has too much empty space between the shelves, add another shelf or two for more organized storage and better use of the space.

 

Look carefully at each closet and find a way to use all the available space. By using baskets, square plastic tubs or plastic shoe boxes (with lids) on closet shelves, they can be stacked to maximize the available space. Be sure to label all containers to make it easy to locate various items.

 

Under-the-shelf storage can be purchased in plastic-coated wire to be slipped on a shelf to make use of that unused space under the shelf.

 

Building shelves directly above your washer and dryer is a great idea, because that is normally wasted space. Use either open shelves or enclosed cabinets for laundry supplies and many other items.

 

Stacking makes use of extra space. At least three six drawer organizers (without the wheels attached, of course) can be stacked to provide organized storage for papers, CD's, DVD's, office supplies, scrapbooking supplies, rubber stamping supplies, sewing supplies, crafts, etc.

 

Add an extra make-shift shelf to the floor of a closet, simply by raising the shelf up with two bricks on each end. This will provide extra storage space for shoes. Use a board that you stained or painted to match the room.  You could even cover it with fabric or matching contact paper.

 

In a child's room, stuffed animals could be stored and displayed in mesh, hanging from the ceiling in a corner of the room. You can find fish netting in stores for this purpose.

 

Shelves built around one or more walls about 12 to 18 inches below the ceiling of a child or teen's room provide not only storage, but decoration as well. The personality and interests of your child can be displayed for your enjoyment and theirs.  This is a good place for trophies as well.

 

Continue looking for unused space in your home. Hopefully these ideas of finding extra bonus storage space in the home will help us all to be more organized.

 

CREATIVE "BUILD-A-SNOWMAN" KIT
by Lois Breneman - 2012 - Heart to Heart

In some parts of the country this winter, warmer than usual temperatures have kept away the snow.  Are your children or grandchildren praying and begging for the white fluffy ice crystals?  If so, this activity might help!  Encourage and help them prepare now for a future snowy day by gathering everything they will need so their snowman or snowlady can stand in your front yard in style!   But who said a snowman can't be sitting in a chair?  Be original.  Have your children draw out their ideal snowman or snowlady on paper, and plan what they will need to dress their snowy masterpiece as soon as enough snow arrives. 

If you need inspiration or more ideas, check out the 25 cent bin at Goodwill or a thrift store for fun accessories.

For the hat, you could decide on a stocking cap, black felt hat for a man or a straw hat with flowers for a snowlady.

A colorful scarf could be an actual scarf or simply a piece of fabric you already have with raw edges.

A carrot nose could be kept in the refrigerator until needed, of course, but for the eyes and nose you will need coal, large dark stones or large buttons (toothpicks might help to hold them in place).  Dark colored Tootsie Pops would work even better (possibly grape flavored).

 

For the mouth, a red or pink ribbon would work.  If you have wire ribbon, you can shape it into a mouth even better.  Or use several radishes or red pepper slices to form a mouth.  Even red buttons could be held in place with toothpicks to form a smile.

For arms and hands, if you want an easy way out, gather twigs.  But you could also easily form arms around the front of your snow person's body.  One year our snowlady held a bouquet of flowers, which meant we didn't need to worry about forming her hands, since the flowers hid them.  Your snowperson could also be warming his hands with a muff (a piece of fabric or fake fur wrapped around where the hands would be).  Gloves could be placed over the hands as well.

You may want to be even more creative by dressing your snow person in a coat, but keep the size in mind when making the snow body.

For a snowman with shoes or boots, fabric could be wrapped to look the part, or you could use a pair of real shoes or boots, if you don't mind a puddle inside them or taking a chance that they'll be carried away by a stray dog.

If you want to get a message across to those who pass by your home, give him a sign to hold. 

Snow animals are lots of creative fun as well!  A bear, lion, turtle, dog, cat, or whatever your heart desires.

 

Teaching your children and grandchildren to plan ahead in something as mundane as building a snowman, will help them learn the importance of planning ahead for more important things.

 

 

HOW TO COOK EASILY DIGESTIBLE BEANS
by Lois Breneman - 2012 - Heart to Heart

 

You will be amazed at what apple cider vinegar will do for all of your bean recipes!

(The addition of apple cider vinegar for digestion and the omission of salt for tenderness)

Rinse a bag of dried beans in a colander, removing any stones.  My favorites are Great Northern Beans.

Cover with twice as much pure water as beans (4 cups beans to 8 cups water).

For every cup of beans, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.  Stir.  Allow to soak overnight or at least 8 hours.

Drain liquid, rinse well, and replace the water with fresh pure water in a two to one ratio.

Add a tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil. 

It's very important NOT to add any salt until the beans fully cooked.  Salt will prevent them from getting soft.

Cook until soft (about 45 - 60 minutes), checking the tenderness.

Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.

Serve some of the beans and freeze the remaining beans for later (a time-saving method of cooking).

 

Great Northern Beans may be substituted for chick peas when making hummus.
Use a few beans in tossed salads, in quesadillas, soups, casseroles, taco dip, and in beans and rice dishes.

All grains and seeds will be more digestible when soaked, using this soaking method.

HUMMUS
Note from Lois: Follow the directions above, rather than using canned beans, for much better digestion.

Recipe from www.allrecipes.com

• 2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch paprika
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

1. Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl.
2. Drizzle olive oil over the garbanzo bean mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

GLUTEN FREE PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFINS  
http://www.thedailydietribe.com/2011/03/pumpkin-spice-muffins-theyre-gluten.html
Thanks to my daughter-in-law, Rachael Breneman, for this recipe!

Notes from Lois:
Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Baking Flour can be used in place of the first three ingredients.
I found mini muffin pans work best in baking these muffins.  When using larger muffin tins and most definitely bread pans, the dough does not completely bake, although it is still good when toasted.

Dry Ingredients:
3/4 cup tapioca starch
3/4 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1/2 tsp. sea salt

Wet Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
3/4 cup unsweetened soy milk (sub: your favorite milk substitute or regular milk)
2 Tbsp. flaxseed meal + 6 Tbsp. water
3 Tbsp. grapeseed oil (sub: olive oil or coconut oil)
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1-2 tsp. liquid stevia, depending on how sweet you want them
1/4 tsp. apple cider vinegar (sub: lemon juice)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Set aside.
3. In a second bowl, mix the flaxseed meal and water. Set aside for a minute, then add the rest of the wet ingredients and stir completely.
4. Add the dry ingredients to wet and stir with a fork until completely mixed.
5. Grease your muffin tins and fill almost to the top with batter. If you're using muffin tin liners, you might want to spray them too. I found some of the muffins stuck to the liners a bit. Bake for 23-25 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

 

SLOW COOKER LASAGNA
from "Home Joys," a newsletter by Gina Martin - www.homejoys.blogspot.com - Used by permission

1 lb. ground beef                           1 tsp. salt
1 large onion, chopped                 1 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder                    8 oz. lasagna noodles
29 oz. can tomato sauce               1 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup water                                    1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
6 oz. can tomato paste                 12 oz. cottage or Ricotta cheese

Brown ground beef and onion until browned. Drain. Add garlic powder, tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, salt, and oregano.  Mix well and set aside.  Mix the 3 cheeses in another bowl and set aside.  In an ungreased 5 qt. slowcooker spread  1/4 of the meat sauce. Arrange a third of the noodles over the sauce, breaking noodles as necessary. Spoon a third of the cheese mixture over the noodles.  Repeat layers twice.  Top with remaining meat sauce.  Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until noodles are tender.

*I have never used regular lasagna noodles for this. I can pick up packages of no boil lasagna at the Bent & Dent Store and that is what I use.
*Another thing I like to do is make the meat sauce and cheese mixture on Saturday and then just throw it together Sunday morning for lunch.  Slow cookers are also great for leftovers or canned soup.  Sometimes if I know I’ll be gone during the morning or afternoon I like to drag out my trusty crockpot, fill it up and turn it on low. It’s awesome for Sunday lunch. - Barb

 

A TIP ON MICROWAVING FOOD
by Lois Breneman - 2012 - Heart to Heart

With all the concern about microwaving food in plastic containers, this tip is a workable solution.  You don't need to go out and purchase lots of glass containers.  I've been doing this for a long time and find that quite a few dishes already in my cupboards have been working great for heating food in the microwave.  Corelle dishes are especially convenient because of their light weight.  Oneida salad bowls that I bought from Red Lobster in the 90's are a favorite in cooking frozen vegetables and other food items for just the two of us, with a cereal bowl serving as the lid.

Try combining some glass dishes you already have in similar combinations:

A salad bowl + a cereal bowl as a lid
A cereal bowl + a saucer as a lid
A salad bowl + a salad plate as a lid
A serving bowl + a cereal bowl as a lid
A larger serving bowl + a salad plate as a lid

I'm sure you get the picture, but for those who have Internet, you can find photos at  http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com .  They will be posted soon.

If you have Corningware casserole dishes, they work great as well.  They last forever!  I'm still using the ones we got as wedding gifts forty-three years ago.  If you don't have any, yard sales and thrift shops are good resources to find them.  Clean them up with a Magic Eraser and they will look like new.  By the way, sometimes I also use a plastic microwave cover (which does not touch the food) as a lid. I found it at Walmart about twelve years ago.  So as you see, there are practical ways of getting around the plastic/microwave issue.

FAVORITE DEVOTIONALS
by Lois Breneman - 2012 - Heart to Heart

This is a short list of devotionals I’ve used at one time or another. If you’re searching for something new to encourage and guide your life this year, you might try a couple of these.

Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowan

His Utmost for My Highest by Oswald Chambers

Experiencing GOD Day-by-Day by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler
Green Leaf in Drought by Isobel Kuhn
Jesus Calling – Enjoying the Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
Dear Jesus by Sarah Young
His Princess – Love Letters from Your King by Sherri Rose Shepherd
Our Daily Bread (Free)
   RBC Ministries, PO Box 2222, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2222  or  www.odb.org 

Personally sometimes I enjoy using a hymnbook during my devotional time.
I have also used Beth Moore's book, Praying God's Word, in my quiet time.
But let's not forget that the Bible should always be the main part of our quiet times.

PRECIOUS GEMS

I love the things that Ethan (7) finds to do to keep himself busy in his free time.  His current project is recopying the Declaration of Independence into one of his notebooks. ~ Liz in Washington

 

Kylie (5) and I pulled into the parking lot at Longwood Park.  "Oh, look, Grandma, the park's closed for cleaning."  I couldn't figure out why she would say that until I saw an elderly gentleman sweeping a metal detector back and forth over the mulch. ~ Eileen in Virginia  (This quote is excerpted from the upcoming release, Wit & Wisdom from the Wee Ones by Eileen Rife, www.eileenrife.com)

Savannah (4): "Mom, Brookie (1) took my toy!"  Mom: "Choose to be a peacemaker and just let her have it."  Savannah: "Fine but in the middle of the night when I wanna sleep in your bed you don't let me 'cause you aren't a very good peacemaker, now are you?" ~ Lauren in Virginia

You know you have a toddler when you find your husband's deodorant in the kitchen utensil drawer. ~ Lori in Virginia

 

Ladies, I would love to hear from you anytime!
Simply reply to any newsletter and share your thoughts with me.
I'm always looking for cute quotes from kids (old or new quotes would be great)!

I pray each of you found something in this edition to bless, encourage and teach you!
Please remember to pray for each dear Heart to Heart lady and her family,
because so many ladies are going through very tough times and need our prayers!
Some have lost loved ones, others have lost jobs, homes, or their good health.
Pray each day for the protection of our troops, and for their families left at home,
as well as adjustment and employment after they return home.
God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!
Your Heart to Heart friend
Lois

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