Quote from Forum Archives on August 30, 2011, 10:21 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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Sept. 2011  Visit Blog, Craft, Recipe, Cell Phone, Tooth Decay, Tips

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IN THIS ISSUE: 

  HAVE YOU VISITED THE "HEART TO HEART" BLOG YET?
  LOST AND FOUND
  THE NINETY AND NINE
  CHICORY & LACE
  CRAFT:  DO-IT-YOURSELF FRAMED FABRIC

  SWEET POTATO FRIES

  FOUR ESSENTIAL CELL PHONE FACTS 
  XYLITOL PREVENTS TOOTH DECAY

  DOLLAR STRETCHER TIPS

  PRECIOUS GEMS

  KIDS' COMMENTS AFTER THE 5.8 EARTHQUAKE IN VIRGINIA (8/23/11)

 

 

HAVE YOU VISITED THE "HEART TO HEART" BLOG YET?
Here's an Overview for You!
http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com

 

The Following Features are included at http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com

Categories Are Listed in the Side Bar - easy to locate various topics from past newsletters

Search Bar - (at top left) - Find specific topics of interest

Music - You can let the music play while you go back to e-mail, or work on other computer programs.  You can choose which song you want to hear at any time or simply turn off the music.

Photography - More than 400 photos can be found on the main blog, plus others on the recipe blog, and yes, I snapped them all, except for the beautiful bleeding hearts banner.  That very appropriate photograph was offered to me by Nina Graff in Wisconsin, who was the person who got me started with this blog in the first place, back in the fall of 2010.  We've become kindred spirits, both having the Lord, family, sewing and photography in common.  Take a look at Nina's website!  www.back40fotos.com

Pages or Tabs at the Top of this Blog Include:
    1. Home
    2. Subscribe
    3. Welcome
    4. Favorites
           175 Things to Do with Your Family
           Unique Photography Ideas
           Picture Book of Proverbs
           Squeezing the Most out of Your Dollar
           Organizational Tips
    5. Christmas
    6. Archives
    7. About Me
    8. Recipes
    9. Monthly Newsletter
   10.Contact

Recipes - From the main blog, by clicking on the photo of the fruits and vegetables, you can be instantly transported to a whole separate blog of only recipes with 10 tabs from which to choose:

1.  Appetizers/Snacks
2.  Babies/Children
3.  Breads
4.  Breakfasts
5.  Desserts/Holidays
6.  Fruits/Vegetables
7.  Main Dishes
8.  Meats/Poultry/Fish
9.  Mixes/Miscellaneous/Freezer
10.Soups/Salads

Please let me know if you have suggestions and/or comments.  Just send me an e-mail. My e-mail address is on the "Contact" page, but you can always reply to any newsletter as well.

 

LOST AND FOUND
by Mary Lynn Barrett - Used by permission

I have a special treasure given to me by a faithful missionary that represents the love of our Lord and her love. It is a set of nesting dolls from the Ukraine with different scenes of the life of Christ exquisitely hand-painted on each one. The largest one is His birth, and the descending sizes show His baptism, His prayer in the garden, and His crucifixion. The smallest one is only about 1 1/2 inches tall and is a solid piece of wood with Christ ascending into heaven delicately painted on it. When my grandson, Noah, was four years old, it was always a special joy for him to be able to gently hold the wooden "dolls" as we talked about the paintings on each one.

One day Noah wanted to keep the tiniest Jesus with him to play. That day Jesus did everything... He sat with Noah as they watched TV, rode around in Noah's pocket as he scampered through the house, and even was asked by Noah to say the blessing at lunch!!!! (Jesus prayed silently so Noah prayed out loud!!!) There was only one problem. Somewhere in the course of the day, Jesus got misplaced. When it was time for Noah to head home, the precious carved Jesus was nowhere to be found. We looked high and low, to no avail. As I headed out to Noah's car to help load his toys and bag, Noah came running out the door excitedly hollering..."I found Jesus! I found Jesus!"

As pleased as I was that my special treasure once again had all its parts, I was even more pleased as I envisioned the day when Noah would personally know and exclaim with a different kind of excitement... "I found Jesus! I found Jesus!" I pray for the day when all six of my grandchildren will personally ask Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. I thank the Lord for the privilege of sharing Jesus with my grandchildren.... whether through big hugs, Bible lessons, memory verses, prayer time, or "lost and found" treasures! 

(Mary Lynn Barrett, a retired oncology and hospice nurse, resides in Elliston, VA, and is married to Dave. They have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren. She is presently serving as the International Auxiliary Chaplain for Gideons International.)

THE NINETY AND NINE
by Phyllis V. Brokaw - 02-2010 - Used by permission

There were ninety and nine but that wasn't enough
for one of them was missing.

I won't come home as one is still lost and
continues to need my assisting.

Then I saw him astray, in the briars he lay,
on the brink of disaster I saw him,

At the edge of the cliff and about to drift,
into the abyss of sheer desolation.

I couldn't be heard o'er the tumult of life and
the sea of earth's utter distractions

So I quickly strode and firmly took hold and
gave him my total protection.

On My shoulders I carried him back to the fold and
oiled his wounds that lay open.

I then laid him down in my pastures green and
never a word was spoken.

But when he awoke and saw on My face
the depth of My love and compassion,

He cried in relief to Jehovah above and
pledged Him his total devotion.

He was saved by Grace through Faith in God's Son
And I think I heard angels rejoicing,

For once he was lost and now he is found!
What abundant and multiple blessings!

Come stand with My bride over here on My right
in the Lamb's Book of Life your name's written.

I've prepared you a room in My mansion above
and together you'll dwell with all nations.

You'll then reign with Me for eternity
in the House of the Lord forever!

Note from Lois:  Phyllis Brokaw Is a Titus 2 woman for sure!  She had opened up her home for many years, teaching younger women how to love their husbands, teach their children and be keepers at home.  I was one of those very blessed women, being under her teaching for thirteen years, as we learned from her Bible teaching, prayer time together and a pot luck lunch around her dining room table every Tuesday.  By her godly example the Lord led me to start sending the Heart to Heart Newsletter to younger women in 1999, but it reaches women of all ages now.  To God be the glory!

CHICORY & LACE
by Nina Graff in Wisconsin - www.back40fotos.com - Used by permission

        Growing up in a typical suburb, creative gardens were not part of the daily landscapes.  Square lawns were the norm, with perhaps a few bushes and flowers next to the front stoop.  My parents were no exception.  My Dad had not inherited the love of gardening that Grampa had practiced.
         We had a lawn dappled with dandelions, two trees, a rose bush and some four-o’clocks.  My love of gardens must have filtered down from Grampa, and also from the hours I spent wandering in the woods beyond the neighborhood.  I loved the things growing wild out there…carpets of violets, spring trilliums, and the red-sapped bloodroot. A few fields around us had yet to be developed, so they grew like mini-prairies among the ravages of the bulldozers.
          Our own backyard was L-shaped, and the corner behind the garage was ignored.  The birds and the wind decided to plant it for us, and it wasn’t long before it bloomed with chicory and Queen Anne’s lace.  Volunteers of sky blue petals and creamy white snowflakes.  I thought it was wonderful!  Unfortunately, our neighbors didn’t share this vision of wildflowers, and a letter soon arrived from the city stating a complaint about “noxious weeds” and an order to remove them.
          I was a young teen at the time.  Melancholy, moody, and very upset when my Dad headed out with a sickle.  How could a neighbor have the power to say what was and wasn’t acceptable when it came to flowers growing?
          I stewed about it in the kitchen, not wanting to see the demise of nature’s efforts to cover the bare ground.  When Dad came in I must have looked as if a friend had died.  I asked him if he had cut them all down.  He said, “Go out and look.”   
          I reluctantly walked back to the corner.  My heart smiled when I saw a small clump of plants remaining, nestled up against the redwood fence.  I don’t know if I was more happy to see the blue and white blossoms, or for the realization that my Dad understood the beauty that I saw, and was willing to rebel against neighborhood protocol for my sake.
         Now I live in the country with fields behind me that offer clouds of wildflowers every summer to enjoy.  And each year a bouquet of Queen Anne’s lace and others find their way to the dining room table as beautiful flowers, not as noxious weeds.

Note from Lois: Nina Graff in Wisconsin, a long-time subscriber of this newsletter, is the very special lady who encouraged me to start a blog for Heart to Heart, and actually pitched in and helped me!  The header on the blog is her photo - the beautiful pink bleeding hearts!  I encourage you to check out her photography business website:  www.back40fotos.com    Her work is amazing!

CRAFT:  DO-IT-YOURSELF FRAMED FABRIC

by Bethany Suhr in California - Used by permission
Tutorial in Photos: http://garrettandbeth.blogspot.com/2011/08/do-it-yourself-framed-fabric.html

Embroidery hoops + Pretty fabric = cheap, quick and round!

I can't recall where I originally saw this idea, but I've wanted to try it for a while.

Here's the quick how to:

Pick out some pretty fabrics. I just grabbed a couple of the small fabric quarters at Jo-Ann Fabrics. I think they were something like 99 cents a piece.

 

Then I picked up some embroidery hoops at a thrift store, ranging from 50 cents to a dollar a piece.

I laid each hoop on the selected fabric, and then cut a generous square out. Then I placed the fabric in the hoop, stretched it taut, and tightened the hoop down.

I then flipped the hoop over, and cut the excess fabric off with a sharp pair of fabric scissors. Flip it over.  Done!

This whole process took about 15 minutes. Tops. Cheap. Quick. Effective. 

For more ideas on what you can do with embroidery hoops and fabric (like use it as a pinboard!), check out some of these creative crafts on Etsy!

SWEET POTATO FRIES
Thanks to Hope Helmuth in Virginia for this recipe!
Hope says her husband hates sweet potatoes, but he likes these!

http://hopeful-things.blogspot.com - Used by permission

4 large, sweet potatoes cut into fries 

Place in a gallon-size plastic bag.
Add 2 Tbsp. of Canola oil.

Flip and flip bag until fries are coated.

Mix Together:
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (scant if you don't like things hot)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. seasoned salt
 

Shake seasonings into bag and flip over and over until fries are evenly coated.
Place onto a tray, making sure fries aren't overlapping.
Bake at 425 for 30 minutes, flipping them half way through.
Ovens may vary, so just bake until they are soft inside and crispy on the outside.
Dip in southwest sauce or ketchup.

 

FOUR ESSENTIAL CELL PHONE FACTS
Thanks to a friend who compiled this for me!
(You may want to copy, paste, and print this to keep with your phone.)

FIRST   (Emergency)

Emergency number worldwide for Mobile is 112.
If out of the coverage area of your mobile network,

dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing

network to establish the emergency number for you.

Can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

 

SECOND   (Hidden Battery Power)

If cell battery is low - to activate help, press the keys

*3370#. Cell will restart with this reserve and the

phone will show a 50% increase in battery.

This reserve will recharge next time you charge your cell.

 

THIRD (Disabling a stolen cell phone)

To check your Mobile phone's serial number,

key in the digits on your phone: *#06# .  

A 15-digit code will appear on the screen.

This number is unique to your handset.

Write down # somewhere for safekeeping.

If phone is stolen, give service provider this code. Ask

them to block your handset; then even if the SIM card

is changed your phone will be totally disabled.

FOURTH   (Free Directory Service for Cells)

Cell phone companies charge for 411 info calls. Instead,

dial (800) FREE411 or (800) 373-3411 – no charge.

 

 

XYLITOL PREVENTS TOOTH DECAY
Xylitol is a healthier alternative to sugar.
Xylitol mints and gum are available in health food stores.
To read details on Xylitol prevent tooth decay, go to http://www.cda.org/popup/xylitol

 

DOLLAR STRETCHER TIPS

www.stretcher.com - Used by permission from the Editor, Gary Foreman - (Readers' Tips)

Summer Teas ~ You pay a lot for those fruity delightful teas, but you can make your own that's even better by freezing crushed fruits in ice trays. I place fruit in blender with some water and then pour it into ice trays to freeze. When I want to serve fruity teas or even water, I just take out several squares of the frozen mixture and place them into a glass or pitcher. It's so yummy, all natural, and very refreshing on these sultry hot days. - S.   Additional Dollar Stretcher Resource: More alternatives to soda.

 

Saving Summer Herbs ~ My garden has a lovely overabundance of basil this summer. I use as much as I can in salads, omelets, and sauces. However, I also keep some for the winter. Using my food processor, I pulse several cups of basil leaves with a couple of tablespoonfuls of extra virgin olive oil. Next I spoon the puree into ice cube trays and freeze until firm. Once the basil is frozen, I pop the cubes into a freezer bag to be enjoyed in soups and stews or with pasta and garlic during the long winter months. It's simpler than pesto, but just as versatile. - Rasa

Using Leftovers ~ Leftovers are great only if you eat them. In the past, I often forgot what I put in my fridge, especially if I put it away in a container that was not see-through. Recently, I came up with the idea of writing the contents on the side of the reusable plastic container with a dry erase marker. That way, I know what is in there, and the writing comes off in the dishwasher. ~ Dawn G. in South Bend, IN

Kids' Birthdays ~ When my children were young, they were often invited to birthday parties. We would spend about $15 on a gift but also had the expense of gift wrap and a card. I found an inexpensive solution to the cards. I went to a Michael's store and purchased a set of rubber stamps with pictures that appealed to kids, such as an ice cream cone, a couple of hearts, etc. The set also came with an ink pad. The total cost, as I recall, was $5 to $7. Then I purchased a set of 3x5 unlined index cards. I folded each card in half and stamped a picture on the cover to make a small card. On the inside, my child could write "To Mary from Joan" or any other short message. It took almost no time to create these. We used these for many birthday parties during the years and still use them now that my kids are teens (although there are fewer parties). I have also used them for baby showers and adult gifts, as well. ~ Dorothy

Free Stone Walkways ~ I recently made a stepping-stone path in our yard, absolutely free. First, I measured the area and estimated how many "steps" I'd need. Then, I drove around to various construction sites in our area. Wherever I'd see broken-up chunks of concrete, I'd stop and ask if I could take a few of the smaller pieces. I looked for pieces that had a flat side, and were roughly about a foot square. Within three days, I had enough chunks to start my project! Next, I laid the chunks out in the desired path. For each one, I dug about two feet down, so that the flat top was flush with the ground. It took a little patience to get each step level, but the results are rewarding. I finished the edges of my new path off with pea gravel and sprinkled it with pretty marbles and colored stones. Now I get comments all the time on my lovely, homemade path. Similar stones cost around $2 to $3 each, so I saved about $60! ~ Shaunna      Additional Dollar Stretcher Resource: More on Inexpensive Landscaping.

Above Ground Repairs ~ My above ground pool had a large tear in the liner. The patch kits they sell for $9.99 have repair adhesive and a 3x12 piece of vinyl. We went to the Walmart® craft section and found a 54 x 1/4 yard piece of identical clear vinyl for 49 cents! And I purchased a tube of repair adhesive for $3 that will last a long time. I also like having the extra supplies close by in case it is needed quickly. If you curve the cut in the vinyl, it lays better than a square or rectangle. - S. in Rochester, NY

 

Jar Storage ~ I use jars from other foods to store leftover soups, veggies, fruits, gravies, etc. I just keep a few jars that fit my needs. I especially like the ones with wide mouths. I can see at a glance what I have, and they take up little space in the fridge. The same jars can be used to keep dry foods in the cupboard. I have large jars for rice, flour, sugar, powdered milk, beans, and pastas. They are a frugal alternative to Tupperware® and other plastics. They don't require plastic wrap to cover the food like when I use a bowl for storage. If I'm packing a lunch to take to work, I use a small jar or two to hold fruit, yogurt, etc. They can be washed and come with lids that fit. (If I'm taking liquids with me, I make sure the lid fits tight.) - K.

Plumber's Clogged Drain Secret ~ Many years ago, I met an old-timer who worked for the city sewage department. He told me a story about clogged drains in the city's buildings, as it was his job to unclog these drains. He had a sure-fire method and it only took a big bucket! When he went into the bathroom, the first thing he did was to run the hot water full blast and filled his bucket with the hottest water he could get. Then he poured the hot water down the toilet. He did this three times! Viola! This cleared the toilet slick as a whistle.  I tried this and it works. The only difference is I boil my water to a rolling boil and it clears our drains quickly and easily. I live in a apartment building. Even though the other tenants are always calling for the plumber, we have never had to. We just pour three buckets of boiling water down the spout. Clears it every time. Try it and see for yourself. The cost is a lot cheaper than a plumber's house call! - John D.

Natural Hair Care ~ The best homemade beauty tip that is equivalent to any expensive hair treatment is to use warmed olive oil on your hair to repair, smooth, and hydrate. Just warm the oil, massage it into your hair, and leave on half an hour before washing as normal. Makes your hair luxurious and smooth. - E. Additional Dollar Stretcher Resource: More frugal help for controlling frizzy hair.

PRECIOUS GEMS
Ladies, thanks for sending your kids' quotes to me to share in Heart to Heart, as well as giving permission when I ask.  How do children keep coming up with all these new quotes?

Living in a foreign country, we try to encourage Caleb (4) to be polite and say hello and good-bye, etc., in our adopted country’s language, even though up to this point he doesn’t know a lot of the language. Most of the time he just turns away without saying anything. However, one evening as we were leaving Burger King, Caleb turned to me and said very proudly and excitedly, “I waved good-bye to her in Turkish!” ~ Alyssa in Asia Minor

(At the beach) Gracie (9) says to me, "Daddy made me ride a wave so high on my board that it hurt my spleen."  I say, "Oh really?  Where is your spleen?"  Her response, "I don't know.  Where is it?"  I show her the general location and then she says, "Wow!  I guess it was my spine then." ~ Penny in Virginia

Savannah (3): Gram-B, how many people do you know?
Gram-B: A bunch! How many do you know?
Savannah: 6
Gram-B: Can you name them?
Savannah: They're already named!
Out-smarted again by an almost 4 year old! ~ Marlene in Virginia

Me: Sierra, what do you want to do while Sam (brother) is at school today?"
Sierra (4): "I want to eat chocolate and go shopping!"
Sounds good to me! 😉 ~ Tiffany in Colorado

 

Andrew (6) came up to me one day and said, "I closed my eyes and turned them so they could see inside of me. Guess what I saw? Jesus in my heart!!" ~ Stacy in Virginia
 

While shopping with his parents, my grandson, Daniel (3), spotted a woman in the store and asked, "Is that Grammie?"  His mom said, "No, It's not Grammie.  She lives in Virginia."   Daniel persisted, saying, "I think it IS Grammie and I think we should go ask her!!  I miss her and she misses me too!" ~ Lois (So true!)

We were driving home from attending my cousin’s wedding, and my husband and I were talking about where my cousin and his wife were honeymooning. The girls asked what a honeymoon was and after explaining it as PG as possible, Coryn (8) said, “I think I’d honeymoon at Disneyworld.” We chuckled and said that might be fun, but how it’s often a better idea to just be alone with your new husband/wife. Chaeli (6) said, “Yes, but I’d still like to honeymoon at Cedarpoint (amusement park). It’s so much fun!” ~ Alison in Ohio

 

Driving through the little town where I grew up from infant to age 9, I showed my girls the playground and the house of my childhood. We later passed the convenient store and then a cemetery. I told them how I would ride my bike through the neighborhood and sometimes my friends and I would go look at the neat tombstones to read the names or look at pictures engraved on them. “And did you look at them with somber faces, Mom?” Coryn (8) asked. She’s obviously been reading a lot lately to come up with that 10 cent word! ~ Alison in Ohio

KIDS' COMMENTS AFTER THE 5.8 EARTHQUAKE IN VIRGINIA (8/23/11)

An earthquake-traumatized Aidan (5) looked at me a minute ago and asked if you could see earthquakes and if they are under the ground. I tried to explain that you could see the effects of an earthquake and that they are indeed underground. He then pointed out the window to the site that prompted his question and said he'd found the earthquake. It was actually the remnant of a groundhog hole! ~ Ellen Rachel in Virginia

Micah (5) said, "Maybe aliens were trying to steal our house, but our house was too heavy for them to take!"  Seriously--No more TV for him! ~ Elaine in Virginia

We started looking at the sky to see if there was a tornado. Andrew (6) looked at me and asked, "Is God destroying the earth already?" ~ Stacy in Virginia
 

 

It's Such a Comfort to Know:
"When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm." Psalm 75:3 

 

"Lord, YOU have been our dwelling place, through all generations." Psalm 90:1

Only GOD can turn a MESS into a MESSage,
a TEST into a TESTimony,
a TRIal into a TRIumph,
a VICTim into a VICTory.
GOD is GOOD... all the time! ~ Unknown

We are praying for those on the East Coast who were in the path of destruction left behind by Hurricane Irene!

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 to bless, encourage and teach you in this edition!
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!
God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!
Your Heart to Heart friend
Lois

Disclaimer: Various websites may be given as credits or to supply additional information for readers. However, all the views and advertisements represented by websites in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the editor. Please use your own discretion and common sense regarding all information given in this newsletter.

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