Keepers at Home & Menu Monday: A Word on Napkins

Welcome to another installment of Keepers and Menus!  Last week I promised to share a piece on napkins in response to a similar article and challenge on Making A House A Home. (Be sure to pop over and tell her "Hi"!)

About 14 years ago I inherited a passel of cloth napkins.  They were amazingly economically helpful and sturdy in the face of a family of six. Then, about eight-or-so years ago, I thought I would push their limits and use them for draining fried food and... well... um... not a good idea!  Matters got worse when I washed them with the regular dish towels and all that grease sort of ruined everything!  Talk about a lesson hard-learned!

This past year my husband commented how he missed our cloth napkins and wished we had more.  He enjoyed their durability and the fact that ONE usually did the trick where a small stack of paper ones left a lot to be desired.  So, for Christmas, my labor of love was to make him a set!  He was ever so grateful.

This weekend I decided to get my sewing to-do bin out and whip out some more.  Partly because the set of six I made hubby for the holidays get used up fast and partly so I could photo-shoot and share the process here.  Good ideas should always be shared!  For me, like menu planning and meal making, I like the shortest, simplest route to a task which can also still yield GREAT results and this napkin-making plan is just-that...

I'm not a fabric guru.  All of my pieces are either garage sale finds or gifts from other's left-overs.  From my collection I picked sturdy fabrics that were also soft and semi-absorbent.  Pre-washing and ironing is ideal.
 

I used the cardboard piece out of a 12x12 scrapbook paper pad as my template.

I rolling cutter makes quick work but you can use a fabric pencil, trace, and then cut out with regular scissors.

All ready to go!

I sewed about 1 machine foot width from the edge as you can see above.  I used a straight stitch on these because I forgot I had used zig-zag at Christmas!

Notice the edge of the zig-zag napkin is fluffed, this happens in the wash (I was hoping it would... the fluff adds character to the edges).  I did have to trim stray threads off the first few times I washed them.  The more I wash them, though, the less trimming I need to do and they look positively refined!

I love using them at dinner, but I also love using them when I have a peeled orange because the juice doesn't really leak through AND I can still clean my hands with the napkin when I'm done! 

Because we homeschool and I get tiered of trying to stash our pens and misc. needs when we shift between eating and schooling at our table I decided just to combine!  It works for us.

Do you use cloth napkins?  If so, I would love to see pictures and hear how they bless your home!  Be sure to share a link below if you do and I will hop over and visit!

Food from last week...

 This may look weird but it was sooooo good. Chicken Fettuccine over Baked Spaghetti Squash.  (I think I will officially try to grow some in the garden this year!!)  I had some leftover Baby Bellas from a salad supreme hubby and I had over the weekend. I sliced and stir-fried them with fresh garlic and threw them into my home-made fettuccine sauce.  The whole meal took a few more steps and time then I typically take in meal prep but it was worth it and, if I had planned ahead a bit better, I might have had the whole thing done, start to finish, within about an hour.

Do differently?  Prepare the squash ahead of time and let cool completely before doing my mixture.

Do quicker?  Use pre-made fettuccine sauce.

Roast and veggies with a side-salad and feta.  I got a wild hair to record the process I discussed last week...

veggies in bottom of pot

sear on ALL sides

onion soup mix on top, water to about middle of roast

I didn't make gravy this time because hubby and I are watching carbs and the kids usually just use ranch.  It is sooooo easy and delicious.  Be sure to check last week's Keepers and Menus post for the full recipe and directions

Menu for this week...

BREAKFAST....
- cereal and blueberries
- eggs
- fresh bread with butter and jam


LUNCH....
hubby: sausage and rice
me and kids: leftovers, grilled sandwiches, grilled tuna sandwiches, mac-n-cheese


DINNER....

Monday

Cheeseburger Salad

Salad with ground beef, cheese, green onions and ranch

Tuesday 

Chicken Stir Fry

I do this the same way as Pork Stir Fry but without the eggs and I usually trade out the peas and carrots vegies for brocoli, cauliflower and green beans (or some other pre-mix frozen stir fry veggies)

Wednesday
Chicken and Cheese Chimichangas with Salad
 
Thursday
Pot Pie

Friday
Burgers with Sun Chips

Saturday
Pizza

  
What are you doing and cooking this week?


Blessings,

Linking up today with some of these...

 

Homeschool Journal: March 2017

 In my life this month…

March rolled in like a lamb and as long as the lion rolling out has to do with weather, I'm ok with that!  Especially since, in February, my document website (hopefully eventually to be my NEW website) was hacked by Russians!  Seriously!!  Hubby identified the hack and the source and we had to manage the problem so my PDF and e-Book downloads have been disrupted as we work out the kinks.

Also, we bought a car and returned a car within 24 hours.  Excitement and then disappointment thinking I was finally going to be able to safely leave the county.  However, we did get beyond the county line for a morning before we learned the car needed to go back!  Felt blessed God revealed the problems before we were obligated to it. Not sure yet if we are going to try for another but we are prayerfully considering it.

In other events, we look forward to St. Patrick's Day, not just for our Irish heritage, but because we simply like to have fun (Irish jigging is part of the deal) and celebrate the spread of Christianity to the Green Isle.  First day of Spring is exciting too, I love celebrating the changes of seasons.  I always plan a fun dinner.  Oh, and my little ole' birthday rounds out this month.  No special plans but I do look forward to having a dinner of my choice that day! 

• In our homeschool this month…

We missed 2 weeks in February.  Just as we were geared to push through and make-up for lost time.  Kids were sick though and we had no choice.  We did get started on our Constitution study in February and while I had hoped to finish it before month's end it looks like Mid-March will be our wrap-up on that.  Then we jump into the early years of America, not sure if we will make it to the Civil War before the month's out but I hope to.

The Algebra combo we tried with Brenden and Brooke is going really well.  We will be jumping into a new unit with that before the week is out.  Brenden still needs to finish Consumer Math for the year as well so I will be trying to work that in on top of his regular studies on the days he doesn't work.

In Science we start studying the Oceans this week.  I'm not certain if we will jump into the subsequent Chemistry unit afterwords or push that till the end of the year and do the Geology unit next.  Keep an eye out on Fridays here to see which direction we go!

Brooke was not a big fan of her Abeka 9th Grade Composition at the start of the year but it has actually grown on her.  She is really 'getting it' the farther in we go and it is exciting to see her enjoying the content.  

Brenden has really gotten a-hold of his Writing with Skill curriculum.  It is helping him grow as a writer as well as understanding themes and content in pieces he reads.  I highly recommend it.

• My favorite thing this month…

Seasons changing!  I love the seasons.  They all have something special and something challenging - just like life!  They are new beginnings four times a year, new hope, ideas, and ways of living (unless you live in a more moderate climate!)  I'm looking forward to bringing out my spring decor with fresh silk flowers, bright colors, and fun springy trinkets!  And bunnies!!!!  Brooke loves bunnies and because of her love and their cuteness... I love them too!

• What’s working/not working for us…

Working... our curriculum.  I questioned parts of it at the beginning of the year but as we have stuck to it, I love seeing the kids grow and learn and even still get excited about their work... even in the things that have a seemingly monotonous routine, they seem to like the predictability in some things.

Not working... Time off!  The kids actually like their school work (who would have ever thought that day would come!)  They are driven to see their curriculum complete and, apparently, no one is happy with too much time off... even if they were sick for most of it!

• Homeschool thoughts I have…

Not to contradict what I just got done typing, but I do really need to schedule half-days here and there to get out of the house and breathe in the air... especially now that the weather is on an up-swing.  With our upcoming geology unit we could turn it into a science expedition!  We are going to have to push through our originally planned spring break to make up for what we missed and, while the kids are totally cool with that, I don't want them to burn out and so we need to find ways to balance play into our schedule.

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

It warmed up for a few days in February and we had lunch on the back porch!

• On my blog in case you missed it…

I re-kindled weekly Homeschool Journal posts!  Each one begins with a small article on homeschool topics (so far I've covered how to deal with the Doldrums and Being Content With Your Curriculum) and then leads into a break-down of our week in homeschooling.  Be sure to check back each Friday/Saturday to see more.  Menu Mondays meshed with Keeper's At Home kicked off as well.  Pop back each Monday for inspiration.

That is our homeschool for this month.  I pray your homeschool springs to life in March!

Blessings,

Linking up today with some of these...

 as well as this monthly meme:

Cultivating Peace

It's been one of those weeks.

You know, the kind where you are just ready to throw in the hat, give up on humanity, and quit trying to win this rat race.

Yet, the more I wrestle with those thoughts and feelings, the more God reveals to me the problem:  I'm not a rat.  I'm not in a race.  I'm on a journey and, at the end of the day, the journey really has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him.

In the midst of my frustration, heartache and, yes, self-pity, the kids and I have been wrapping up a study on Philippians 4.  I can't seem to get past this concept of rejoicing no matter what and the peace which is promised...

 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

- Philippians 4:4-9

Paul says "rejoice" TWICE before he launches into the supporting details.  (hmmmm, must be important).

Then, he prescribes what I see as a recipe for rejoicing:

1. Let your reasonableness be known to EVERYONE (i.e., your husband, your kids, your in-laws and even to the stranger at the grocery store who is irritated with your kids for bumping into their cart while waiting in line!)
2. Don't be anxious
3. .... instead pray, ask, give thanks in EVERYTHING (i.e., pay-check bonuses, job loss, old friends visit, family member passes away.... e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!!!)

Results?  Peace of God... the kind of peace that makes NO sense... will guard your heart and mind in Christ.

That's a John 14:27 kind of peace...

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. 

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

The kind which is grown and recognized by abiding in John 15.  Paul knows this because, honestly, these are GOD'S words in Philippians, poured through Paul because he proceeds with this prescription for peace which guards hearts and minds...

Think about these things...    

• whatever (could be anything, but whatever) is true (whether you agree with it or not, see TRUTH and think on it)
• whatever is honorable (and honors God)
• whatever is just (whatever is right... don't dwell on wrong)
• whatever is pure (and holy... don't waste time on impure thoughts and actions, it will pollute your mind and cloud your thinking)
• whatever is lovely (in the site of the Lord)
• whatever is commendable (worth noticing and glorifying to God)
• if there is any excellence
• if there is anything worthy of praise

...Think about these things

 And Paul goes on to point out, whatever we learn and see in God's Word, in His disciples, practice it (that's an action).

The results?  The God of peace will be with us.  You know, that peace that makes no sense whatsoever?  That peace.  That BIG HUGE STRONG God of the adage, "Quit telling God how big the storm is and start telling the storm how BIG your God is"?  That God.

Paul knew first hand what he was talking about.  As a matter of fact, this peace and rejoicing stuff was summed up well in verses 11-13...

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

This isn't prosperity gospel.  If anything, it is anti-prosperity gospel because Paul is saying, "I don't need stuff to be content... I just need Jesus. HE is the one who gives me strength for all this rejoicing and peace no-matter-what stuff."

So, this week, as I thought we were buying a car (papers were signed and everything) and then I found out the dealership had glazed over serious problems with the car and I was the one that had to go up to the big scary servicing guy (I cower in the face of potential intimidation and confrontation) I was nearly sick to my stomach with fear.  For an entire day afterward I couldn't even look at car sales ads or see the dealership's name without recalling the intimidating and snake-ish handling... yet, I prayed.  

I remembered, peace isn't just spread out and left to work.  Peace is given, but, it GROWS in a heart and mind which is cultivating it.  Instead of getting angry or upset, I sought to reflect the power of God by letting my reasonableness be known... even to the scary guy at the dealership when he tried to act like it wasn't their problem, it was just a routine maintenance issue (in fact, it was a dealership negligence issue, my mechanic confirmed it).

I prayed, and asked for more peace and thanked God because we caught the problem before (and only just) the grace period ran out so we could return it instead of being stuck with a $1500 repair bill on a car we just bought.

And as I have 'recovered' from the ONE situation that disarms me every-single-time, I haven't drifted away because I have remembered - even if it doesn't make sense - God is still God and He is still Good and HIS PEACE will rein in my heart and thoughts... and in this I can rejoice ♥

I pray you cultivate a heart and mind prepared to bask in the mighty peace of God so that you might rejoice in ALL things!


Blessings,

Linking up today with some of these...