Easy-Breezy but Nice Dusting Powder for You to Make

This will make a great gift idea for family or friends!
~Robert Stock

I'm trying very hard to keep Christmas simple but nice, simple but meaningful. Not shabby.

Just call me Donna Reed (Mary Bailey) and hubby George Bailey, there are days when I really feel like that. Our little Real Estate company in Oldtown is pretty close to the scenario in more ways than one to 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Even our building was built in the 40s. Allow me to enlighten those who don't realize that Realtors do not get paid one penny unless the sale closes. That means many a month that a Realtor makes nothing and often works their fanny off only to make nothing. Don't mean to sound neg-egg but it seems the more I talk with folks, and the more my Broker hubby and Realtor daughters talk to folks the more we realize people have no idea of this. I cringe when I hear people talk of Realtor's fees as if it's some evil something. Where else do you find a business person that acts as counselor, minister and confidant' as well as a legal assistant with paper work and contracts that would equal a pile of papers as thick as our heads? Enough said on that, but let's just say Real Estate keeps one humble and if you prayerfully find one that loves the Lord and is providing for a family, one who tithes to the Lord, count yourself blessed and pray for that person, support their business when possible. Take it from me, I see it all behind the scenes. Many a tear shed by my two oldest Realtor daughters. Many a fervent prayer and furrowed brow do I see on my prematurely silver haired Broker husband.

All that was brought up to say, I know my frugal stuff. : ) I never know which way the wind will blow so to speak just like...Mary Bailey. : )

Has anyone noticed how gift suggestion prices have gone up? I now hear amounts such as $10.00 mentioned in the modern burbs. It seems to me, $5.00 spent for a party gift or friendie gift is plenty. Some folks seem to speak of $10.00 like it's a dollar. It boggles the mind.

That's why I like living in Smalltown, people don't care what kind of car they drive, they don't care what kind of car you drive. You may see a sweet elderly person put a melon down because it's a bit too pricie for them, they'll smile sweetly saying,"Oh that's a little too much for me". People aren't so busy going from point A to B to say hello and ask how you are. And they really talk, they have time to talk and be friendly. I like that. I love that! Human beings live there. Common mankind. Think: The old movie, Meet John Doe. (1941) You can see it in entirety here too. Stay away from the Heelots. ; )

If you have a chance to live near a Smalltown, it is well worth it. There is a difference.

Here is one great and dandy economical but nice gift idea. Not only is this a great idea for others but for yourself too!

A long time ago when my oldest was in First Grade at a Christian school before I took the wonderful plunge to homeschool I carpooled with a sweet gal named Peggles. Peggles was married to a D.O. who worked the ER. A spazzy curly headed man who loved the Lord. Every now and then Peggles would let me know of a natural remedy for our baby or for my sore throat etc. I'll never forget one day she told me of a great alternative for baby powder for my baby Michelle. The answer? Cornstarch! Yes plain ol' cornstarch from the box.

Fast forward 20 years or so...

My then-Kindergartner will be 29 this weekend. I can't believe it...oh the wisdom I've learned since.

Since I knew Peggles back then, I've learned new things to do with cornstarch. Peggles, if you see this, give me a line, I often wonder where you ended up dear one.

You can either use the cornstarch plain for your baby or yourself or spruce it up for a gift with lavender oil or a spritz of your favorite perfume.

It's as easy as 1-2 - 3 !

You take plain ol' cornstarch, a box will be plenty. Yes, I know this pic is sideways, no one can accuse me of being a perfectionist. ; )


Then you take either essential oils, I personally think lavender is nice, make sure and do a safe one. You can also spritz the powder with your favorite perfume if you like that or just leave it plain if it's for you etc. How do you like my little bird? I love the little birds outside. They remind me so much of the Lord and how He watches over us. I love the birds, deer and my doglets and all Creatures Great and Small...Fur and feather angels.


~Robert Stock

Then we make it pretty. I happened it to have this lovely cardboard powder box from years ago from a dollar section. I use this for myself, it reminds me of a movie star's powder box. ; ) You could also use a nice crisp plastic bag with a cute bow for a casual gift. Just as long as it's cute...and thoughtful.


And there you have it, a nice useful pretty gift for someone special. : )
This is linked to Life as Mom, Frugal Friday.

And that's pretty much it, I hope everyone's having a nice week. I have a wowee sermon on one of my other blogs, Vision for a Godly Home.

I also have some cute cloth bags I whipped up for a Crisis Pregnancy prolife clinic on My Forest Cathedral blog .

Have a sweet week, K.I.S.S. Keep it simple sweetie! Keep it thoughtful. Remember, people may not remember what you say but they will remember how you make them feel.

I've had fun this week giving the tract out, "Have a Nice Day" from Rod & Staff publishers. They have been well received by many store clerks with a huge thank you! and a smile everytime. People are waiting for US, the Christ-bearers to bring the good cheer, tidings and wonders of Joy. Do we really believe in the Hope that is within us? I hope so! Let's share it. : )

Love in Christ Jesus my Lord, xxxooo ~Amelia

P.S. Happy Veteran's Day Daddy. And to ALL our Veterans! Thank you for your protection and GOD bless America.

Listening to: A Charlie Brown Christmas, sweet peaceful, joyful jazzy instrumental for this most wonderful Autumn day.

It's That Candle Time of Year!

Hobby Lobby candles are half price this week! Yippee! I love the cinnamon spice one for the fall and for Christmas too for that matter. Oh it is so nice. These are great candles with a strong fragrance much like the more expensive ones. For around $6.00 I have a large jar candle to bask in! These make nice gifts too. The green colored sugared spruce fragrance smells like Christmas trees, love those candles. Keep in mind Hobby Lobby puts these on sale from time to time and this time it is for the larger jar candles so make sure and read the ad carefully.

~Robert Stock

Now if you are like me we must have some nice instrumental music to welcome the fall.

My favorite this week: David Lanz, Heartsounds. This one reminds me of leaves dancing and gracefully playfully falling from the trees. Beautiful.

Next in line is a beautiful selection: Adoration, Solo Piano Hymns by David Nevue. Another Bravissimo, it sets the stage for a beautiful peaceful home. An old pastor once encouraged our congregation to keep our homes in an atmostphere of praise, this fits the bill beautifully.

Enjoy and be blessed, ~Amelia

P.S. Please see "The Question of Kosher Meat", on my Vision for a Godly Home blog and it's a very important question too. Let's be found blameless.

EDIT: 10.20.11 Please also see "Booger Men and Small Rebellions"

Don't let the Booger Man of Busyness and his evil steed the three headed monster, the Multi-tasker steal from you!

Inviting Atticus and Fam for a Luscious Lasagna Dinner

Hey There Hi There Ho There! Oh yay for fall! It's the season for neat old movies such as To Kill a Mockingbird with our dreamie friend, Gregory Peck. Yep, my second-born daughter, Marianna says she would marry Gregory but he is living impaired. Poor Gregory. But I just love the character he plays of Atticus in this movie...oh me oh my. Atticus is what we would call a gentleman. A gentleman with outstanding integrity.

I think if Atticus was our neighbor we would have to invite he and his children over to have some lasagana. I think they might like this recipe, it is so very good. My thirdborn daughter, Michelle made this last week and it was definitely company-worthy indeed. And what makes it even better is this one has it all, veggies and everything. Just serve it with some garlic bread and if you do have Atticus and children over you could make a huge tossed salad too, why I think Calpurnia might get a kick out of this dish as well so let's invite her too!

Speaking of this wonderful movie, To Kill a Mockingbird (1961) you may enjoy the blog I composed entitled What Part Do We Play? on my Vision for a Godly Home blog.

Michelle's (Michelina's) Artichoke Spinach Lasagna

Before it makes it debut in the oven it even looks good! Enjoy!
I'm bringing this over to Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday today.

Golden Oldie Movies Our Family Has Enjoyed Lately:


The Woman in the Window (1944) A real creeper suspense with an interesting twist at the end. A bit of a good example of what happens when we allow those thoughts to build nests in our heads and sometimes become reality instead of shooing the birds away! Oh how we must be careful of our companionship as I'm sure you'll agree. We also must flee from evil not flirt with it. Excellent part played by Edward G. Robinson. Don't let those birds make a nest as Martin Luther once said.

Just This Once (1952) This is so adorable...A very cute and funny movie with a young Peter Lawford and Janet Leigh. We laughed outloud!

Catered Affair (1956) We just love Ernest Borgnine in most all movies we've seen with him. Betty Davis is in her later years, and what a part she plays of a loving mother, so different than what we are used to when we hear the name, Betty Davis. There is a darling Irish uncle in the small apartment too...and of course I'm partial to the Bronx...That is where my step dad was from. We loved him so.


"This story uncovers real feelings in a real world." ~Ernest Borgnine

You may enjoy the trailer at my Vision for a Godly Home blog along with thoughts on the great new movie, Courageous. Enjoy!



I'll close with this poem from an old Reminisce Extra magazine I recently read:

Myself

I have to live with myself, and so
I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able, as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye.
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
And hate myself for the things I've done.

I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself.
And fool myself, as I come and go,
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of person I really am;
I don't want to dress up myself in sham.

I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men's respect;
But here in the struggle for fame and pelf
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know
That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.

I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see.
I know what others may never know;
I never can fool myself, and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.
~Edgar A. Guest


I hope you all are having a nice fall. Blessings to All! ~Amelia

An Italian Soup that would Make my Grandma Smile

Lately I've been coming across irritating things if you know what I mean. ; ) Sometimes when these irritating things happen I think of my Italian grandma. She didn't put up with monkey business from people and would tell them so. Oh if you could see the theatre of my mind at times.... It. is. so. Grandma. And don't worry Grandma...I'll be nice, my grandma was very nice and had a big heart, bigger than Texas but she was real. No undercurrents with Grandma. No sirrie-bobbie. : )

In honor of my Grandma and Grandpa Italiano I will post one of my favorite Italian soups. They would have loved this one.

So here we have the no-nonsense Italian soup, it's no nonsense but warms the soul just like my Grandma!

This should be just the thing for the upcoming September evenings...
~Robert Stock

A Most Very Italian Spinach and White Bean Soup
Melts in your mouth honey! (That's what my Grandma would have said!)

6 tablespoons olive oil
6 garlic cloves, chopped
3 large 16 oz. bags of frozen chopped spinach. (canned will do)
12 cups vegetable broth (I use the veggie bouillon cubes)
3 -4 cans of cannellini or white northern beans drained and rinsed
Parmesan cheese
black pepper
pasta, angel hair works well or spaghetti

Heat olive oil in bottom of a heavy pan on low. Add garlic and saute until fragrant but NO MORE. Only about 15 seconds. Browning garlic makes it bitter, that is a no-no and my grandma will come get you if you do that little thing. So don't. ; )

Get some water boiling for your pasta in a separate pot.

Add the spinach and saute a bit, a couple of minutes or so. Add the broth and beans. Sprinkle liberally over the top with your parmesan cheese. Cover and simmer until the beans are heated through, about 5 minutes. Season up with some black pepper to taste.

You should be cooking up some pasta by this time too, drain your pasta, this is the bed for your soup.

Ladle into soup bowls over the pasta and serve with parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top. Serve with a good bread and dinner is served!

This most heart warming soup will be shared at Mz. Helen's Full Plate Thursday today.

Also linked to Ultimate Recipe Swap 12.1.11 at LifeAsMom


















Our formal table area in the summer eve at the country here. The fancy carved chairs were very much like my Grandma's before Hurricane Carla hit in 1961. Poor Grandma lost her beautiful chair set along with her and Grandpa's home. She and Grandpa had a fishing camp and her chair set was probably one of the only fancy things she had. Grandpa had sang opera in New York as a young man arriving from Sicily...It's a long story....Another blog. : )

As Hurricane Carla approached, I was an 8 month old baby. The U.S. Army came and picked up my mom, dad, grandparents and me wrapped in a blanket as the soldiers helped us upon the Army caisson. Our home does still stand today, but as I wrote, Grandma and Grandpa's house on the water was blown away by this storm.

Our chair set was sold to my husband at a blessing of a price, the normal price per chair is what we paid for the entire set. A doctor's wife didn't want the set anymore. My hubby is a Realtor broker and he runs across all kinds of people. His favorites are the sweet ones who have sweet hearts and just need a bit of help in life. He loves working with them, even if it means making less. True life at it's best in the Lord. God blesses and gives the full fulfillment.

Come visit me also at My Forest Cathedral and meet my buddy!


Also, some reminders and helps for us all at Vision for a Godly Home.

Fun Stuff to Show and Tell!

I just thought I'd post a few of my favorite things today! I love old fashioned things so I thought I'd share these things with you, this will be some good old fashioned fun for me to post. I'm in a playful mood, I've had a challenging week and even have a twitch in my eye to show for it...how do you like them apples?

How to Make a Smart Dusting Cap, this is too cute. Reminds me of I Love Lucy or better yet, the old movie, Penny Serenade. (1941)

You can see Penny Serenade here in entirety as well I love this movie...so sweet, but sad too. Do you know that once when Irene Dunne was at a church in movie land, someone tapped her on the shoulder and asked her..."Isn't seeing the movie stars here exciting!?" The person didn't even recognize Irene Dunne.


Here is something else I thought was so very cute, this is a nice old fashioned retro-look for longer hair:


And another...We got a kick out of Hoagy Carmichael here from the movie,Night Song (1947) :


Night Song (1947) We enjoyed the movie, about a classical music genius who has gone blind played by handsome Dana Andrews, his friend here played by adorable Hoagy Carmichael helps save the day. A nice movie.

So that is my quick show n' tell blog for today... I hope you enjoyed it!

~Amelia

Come see me also at MyForestCathedral for home happenings. I just brewed some iced country-peach tea! Come on over and we can visit! : )

Great Italian Lentil Balls!

Our oldest daughter Lea made these last night for sup and they were marvelous dahlings! Mahvelous! (Don't you just love the way the glamorous young woman engaged to the Jewish runner in the movie, 'Chariots of Fire' says the word, Marvelous - Mahvelous...

Our family is moving Vegetarian these days, if you see this video on my other blog you will see one of the number one reasons for me, it's a mercy issue and a humanitarian one, a justice issue about factory farming. My husband enjoys the health benefits too. I can't see Jesus approving of this abuse. No way, no how. Even on dairy, we are being far more particular, buying cheese only from farm owned happy cows (Bordens brand has a shredded cheese with the 'Family Owned' cow emblem on the front, yay!) and happy roaming chicken eggs. It pays to shop on these things. And there are so many vegan choices too on many cheeses etc.

Okay here is this most wonderful recipe, I hope you all enjoy it too. It was so good and tasty too.

The above photo is of Lea the other evening by the pond reading...Our pond is getting lower and lower and this drought is getting down right scary. Please pray for Texas!

Please pray for Texas and special thanks to Governor Perry for calling 'The Response' for prayers and repentance for our country, praying to stop abortion as well as for the silent pulpits. We were there and it was not fun and games, this was a serious prayerful and worshipful event. Many wonderful people of God were there praying and no man was lifted up, this was not an emergent church event. People like Aveda King, Dr. Dobson and his wife Shirley Dobson, Tony Evans, David Barton, the widow of Bill Bright, Vonette Bright were there along with John Hagee etc. Also, a beautiful young woman who survived her mother's abortion and a Holocaust survivor's son were there to pray. The list of prayer warriors goes on and on. We had several pastors in our immediate seating vicinity. People of all colors were there. My husband was praying over one precious black pastor and tears rolled down his face...The pastors who are preaching truth must be receiving tremendous persecution. I have sensed that lately. Who wouldn't? Our family has not had an easy time of it lately ourselves...

That's the wrap and now for that recipe! : )


Lea's Italian Lentil Balls, the Best in the West!

4 cups cooked lentils
2 cups bread crumbs
3 - 4 happy free roaming chicken eggs
3 -4 garlic cloves crushed
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt
pepper
dried parsley
dried Italian seasoning
fennel seeds if desired
olive oil

Mix lentils, bread crumbs, eggs, garlic and cheese well until most lentils are smashed and ingredients are blended. Generously add seasonings to taste.

Roll into meatballs. Place in pan with thin layer of olive oil. Leave in 400 degree oven or broil til crisp and browned.

Lea served these delicious lentil balls with a light Italian gravy over cous cous. I'll share her light gravy with you as well:

Lea's Light Gravy for Pasta or Cous Cous

8 Roma tomatoes
1/3 cup olive oil
1 box vegetable broth
1 - 2 tsp. vinegar
crushed dried red pepper and salt to taste
handful of fresh basil

Saute' tomatoes in hot oil over medium high heat 2 minutes or until soft. Add broth and vinegar. cook 2 to 3 minutes or until tomateoes begin to wit. Stir in dried crushed red pepper,salt, and remaining basil.


Now gals, we can't put these Lentil Balls in the gravy because they will deteriate so make sure and serve them up separately.

Let me tell you, I had some today for lunch and they were just as good and crispy as they were last night.


I hope you enjoy this tasty and healthful recipe. I'm going to bring a dish right on over to Mz. Helen's Blueplate Thursday to share today.

This is also linked to Frugal Friday at Life with Mom. 9.16.11

I'll close with a selected poem from my devotions from yesterday from Streams in the Desert:

Loved! then the way will not be drear;
For One we know is ever near,
Proving it to our hearts so clear
That we are loved.

Loved when our sky is clouded o'er,
And days of sorrow press us sore;
Still we will trust Him evermore,
For we are loved.

Time, that affects all things below,
Can never change the love He'll show;
The heart of Christ with love will flow,
And we are loved.

You are loved! And remember, the same moon that shines over me shines over you too! So when you think about it and see that ol' moon, say a prayer for this gal here in Texas and I'll say one for you too. God knows who you are.... You are loved!

~Amelia

Easy Top for You to Make

Hi De Ho!

Just stopping by to share what I made yesterday. It was just the doglets, kitten and I here listening to Nat King Cole, what more could inspire?

Please allow me to share this pattern with you that was 99 cents on sale at Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago. For 99 cents you really can't go wrong right? I can afford to mess those up and not cry over spilled milk so to speak.

This is the pattern: McCall's M5357

I put the v-necked short sleeved top together in a navy cotton lawn cloth. I had been looking for a navy top, a simple cap sleeved top and could find none to go with this skirt from Coldwater Creek: Pretty Blue Skirt

I ordered this skirt last month when they were offering free shipping with a good percentage off of the already marked down price. That's the way to do it if you ask me. : )

For my top, I made the sleeves a bit shorter cutting off the little slit doodle-dandy on the sleeves. I really like the way this top came out, no setting sleeves either. Yippee! I will wear the top with the pretty blue skirt with a wide belt thrown around the top. Now how's that for easy-breezy fashionable sweetness?

Here's a pic I think you all might enjoy, it's something I randomly took one evening last week. Hubs and I had taken a nice walk on our property, see my shoes? I bought them from the animal rescue site, not too shabby. In the pic you'll see some P.J. clad daughters and a paper plate on the floor. This photo just speaks life at our house on many an eve. The plate is from our doglets, I feed them on paper plates, that is one of my mini-maids. I don't have a real maid so I treat myself to little things like feeding our dogs on paper plates to avoid a rather yucky clean up from canned dog food. After supper who needs more stuff to clean? Hubs had been helping me load pics from my camera on our pc on his lap there...

Here is the living room shot:


Gregory Peck in an old 1957 movie on our screen:


Thanks for coming over y'all! Blessings to All! ~Amelia