Monday, November 19, 2012

Elevators




I was really blessed by this message from Chuck Swindoll & wanted to share it with you!
Elevators are weird places, aren't they? Especially crowded ones. 

Years ago, a couple of friends and I were waiting for an elevator. As the doors slid open, I saw that the little space was packed with people whose faces all said, "You guys aren't gonna get in here, are you?" 

Naturally, we did. I was last. 

I felt the door close against my back . . . and everyone stared in my direction at the numbers above my head. After a few seconds of total silence, I smiled big and said loudly, "You might have wondered why we called this meeting!" The place broke open with laughter. It was amazing! People began talking and actually relating . . . on an elevator.

When you stop and think about it, an elevator is a microcosm of our world: an impersonal place where anonymity, isolation, and independence are on display. No involvement, no encouragement. No need to share, reach out, or give a rip. Just watch the numbers and look at nobody. It's almost as if there's a sign over our lives that reads: NO TALKING, NO SMILING, NO TOUCHING, NO EYE CONTACT!

I'm glad Jesus ignored that sign. Aren't you? 

Our Savior modeled how to live—perfectly. He didn't just preach from heaven, keeping a safe distance from us. He came to earth. He literally became one of us. He cared. He listened. He served. He touched lives, supported, and affirmed. He encouraged. He connected. He took time to listen. He walked with people. Jesus never "took the elevator." 

I can't think of a better time than the holidays to take this reminder to heart. We need to throw ourselves into family fun, meaningful mealtimes, and eye-to-eye conversations. But, like Jesus, we need to reach beyond our own circles. 

You can find more inspirational messages like these by visiting http://www.insight.org 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Blessings Mix

Schools around America have either already begun their Thanksgiving break, or will start their break within the next few days.  Moms and Dads are now given the great task of keeping their children occupied and entertained while having a break from school.  Here is an idea for keeping your kids both occupied and entertained, but with a purpose.  Try making "Blessings Mix" with your children in these few days leading up to Thanksgiving.

"Blessings Mix" is a great "goodie bag" to hand out at a fall party or for Thanksgiving.  It's a yummy treat with a wonderful message.  Print the information below on a piece of paper and attach it to the bag of treats (punch a hole in the corner of the card).

Blessings Mix:

Bugles: Cornucopia, a symbol of our nation's abundance
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer; a freedom sought by those who founded our country
Indian Candy Corn: This represents the sacrifices of the pilgrim's first winter: food was so scarce that settlers survived on just 5 kernels of corn a day
Nuts and Seeds: Promise of a future harvest; one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence
Dried Fruits: Harvest gifts from our bountiful land
M&M's: Memories of those who came before us to lead us into a blessed future
Hershey's Kisses: The love of family and friends that sweetens our life

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Simple & Creative Thanksgiving Ideas

Give the whole family a chance to understand thankfulness by making a food basket for the poor, volunteering to serve a meal at the local mission or adopting a needy family for the holidays.

As guests arrive for dinner, have them write on a slip of paper what they're thankful for and place it in a bowl.  Later, at the table, make a game of getting everyone to try and guess who wrote each slip of paper.

Make the children's table more fun by using a paper table cloth and giving each of them crayons or markers.  Trace each child's hand and let them turn it into a turkey.  Have leaves they could trace and color.  Print out copies of coloring book pages or games.

Place Card Ideas: Instead of writing names, put old photos of each family member at their place.  Everyone will want to take theirs home after they've shared something special about when the photo was taken.  

Put on a crock pot of hot cider ahead of time so the house smells good and you have a warm drink to hand people as they arrive.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Holiday Tea in Little Rock

For those of you in Little Rock, AR, I will be speaking at a Holiday Tea this Saturday, November 10th at 10 am.  For more information, please visit the church's website at: http://www.ibclr.org

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  Have you started to think about special ways you will celebrate?  I would love to share some of my family's favorite traditions with you!

Often at family Thanksgiving dinners we put a Thanksgiving related Bible verse at everyone's place at the table or on the back of their place card.  Before serving dessert, we have each person read their verse and say one thing that they are thankful for this year.

One verse, for example, is 1 Chronicles 16:6-9, 12; Give thanks to Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.  Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, the judgements he pronounced.

Other verses include 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 77:11-14, Psalm 92:1-5, Psalm 95:1-5, Psalm 75:1, Psalm 106:1, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:16-17.

Give this a try around your table this year and I think you will feel thankful you did!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

What are you serving?

In moments of hospitality, comfort can pour from the kettle to a cup just as smoothly as comfort comes from having a conversation.  So whether you invite someone to simply sit for tea or to stay for dinner, realize that you are serving so much more.  When you open your home to others, it is comfort and connection that you serve!

For pretty and practical ideas of how to practice hospitality this fall, I recommend visiting www.bhg.com!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Hospitality

Hospitality happens when we are willing to give from what we have. Take a cozy home, a comfy couch, some tasty food, a friendly family, and you have all the ingredients for serving up hospitality. 1 Peter 4:9 tells us to offer hospitality without grumbling. The next time clutter keeps you from being hospitable- whether it's the clutter around your house or the  clutter in your life-try putting into practice what the Bible urges each of us to do...and I think you will be blessed!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Festive Napkins

Napkins can be paper or cloth and can  be a way to add color to your table.  If you have a white table cloth, try brightly colored napkins that match the colors of your centerpieces or dishes.  Obviously  paper napkins are less expensive than cloth napkins.  Dollar store bandanas can be used for napkins and add a festive touch to cookouts and Texas barbeques.

Napkin rings can be as simple as wired ribbon or raffia tied around gathered napkins or wooden drapery rings with a bow tied on the ring.  These can be personalized by using paint pens or markers and given to your guests as party favors.  You may wish to start a collection of napkin rings to be used for special occasions or holidays.

The festive napkins pictured here are a simple way of adding color to your table by bringing the outdoors in!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Drop-In Guests

A well stocked pantry will set you free to be ready for drop-in guests at anytime.  There are a few basic items that you can keep on hand.  You should have some beverages, special cookies, a quick dessert and ingredients to prepare an emergency dinner.

My children used to refer to my fancy Pepperidge Farm's cookies as "grown up cookies" that they knew not to touch.  I always had a package of something like this on hand so I was always ready to offer a surprise guest a cup of coffee or tea with a special treat.

For an emergency dinner, I keep a large sized frozen lasagna in my freezer as well as the ingredients to make spaghetti in my pantry.  Sometimes I freeze some browned ground beef or onions in a self-locking freezer bag in my freezer.  This can be used for the spaghetti or a lot of other quick dishes.  Frozen meatballs can be bought commercially and kept on hand for emergencies.

These simple steps will keep you prepared to entertain instantly!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Centerpieces

Quite often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a centerpiece is a floral arrangement.  These can be costly or require a talent you may not have.  Check your yard to see what is available.  It may surprise you.  There's nothing wrong with dried arrangements during the winter or a couple of random daffodils in a bud vase.  Most grocery stores have some inexpensive flowers like mums or carnations.  If it's a special occasion, a cake may be all you need in the center of the table.  You could also fill a glass pedestal bowl with fresh fruit, some seasonal items, or something that goes with your theme.  Make sure your centerpiece is not too tall.  Guests should be able to see over it easily to make a conversation across the table.  Tie it into your them or the season of the year.

For fall, choose a small hallowed pumpkin or cut off the top of an artificial pumpkin and fill it with mums or dried flowers.  Sprinkle fall leaves on the table.  You could also fill a large Mason jar with candy corn and insert fall silk flowers in it.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Pumpkin Carving

Halloween is just around the corner and if you have children, I know you must be in the process of making plans.  Maybe you will dress your kids up and take them trick or treating, or perhaps you will take them to a fall festival at church.

Listen to this great story; a girl, recently having accepted Jesus into her life, was asked by a friend what it was like to "believe".  She replied, "It's like being a pumpkin: God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you.  Then He cuts the top off and scoops out all the yucky stuff.  He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.  Then ... He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

This Halloween season, try this...

  • Invite families to your home for a pumpkin carving party.
  • Share this girl's story of what it is like to believe.
  • Think of creative uses for pumpkin verses.  Print it on a card with pumpkin graphics from your computer or put a pumpkin sticker on the card with it.  This could be the beginnings of a stirring evangelistic talk and take home piece afterwards. 

Thursday, October 4, 2012

What is in your fruit basket?

Right now apples are in abundance, and it is my favorite time of year to make Knobby Apple Cake.  This recipe is found in my book, Entertaining for Eternity with Heavenly Hospitality which can be found on my website, www.entertainingforeternity.com!  If you have already purchased the book, please note the correction for this recipe and be sure to add a teaspoon of baking soda.  It is a really easy and very yummy recipe, especially when it is served warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.  I am getting hungry right now just writing about it!

Knobby Apple Cake
2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups apple chunks, peeled
1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.  Cream together sugar and cooking oil.  Add in eggs.  Next add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and vanilla.  Finally, fold in apple chunks and nuts.  Pour into 9x13 pan and bake for 40-60 minutes.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Overnight Guests

There are many times you will have guests staying overnight in your home.  You may also be asked to keep guests overnight as a ministry to others in the faith.  The basics remain the same.  You don't have to recreate your favorite Bed and Breakfast; just think of the small touches that made you feel comfortable and welcome when away from your home.  Provide as many of these small touches as your time, space and budget will allow.

The question to ask is, "What would it be like to be a houseguest in my home?"  It's not a matter of having a room done by an interior decorator.  It's more a matter of being clean and comfortable.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Be Refreshed

I am excited to have my ministry featured on eQuipping for eMinistry!  Please take a minute to visit the website and read the article http://equipping4eministry.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/she-who-refreshes-others-will-herself-be-refreshed/ 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Banana Bread

These days, recipes seem to rarely come from a cook book.  Instead, websites such as www.allrecipes.com make it easy to find someone else's family recipe from the convenience of a smart phone, laptop or iPad.  But there is one recipe for banana bread that I will continue to turn to in the pages of the Pillsbury Family Cook book.  So whether you are on the hunt for something new to offer your family for breakfast in the middle of the week, or whether you need something sweet to serve at Bible study, this banana bread uses ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now!  I would like to share it with you:

Banana Bread

2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup (2 medium-size) mashed bananas
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Sift flour with soda and salt.  Cream butter.  Gradually add sugar, creaming well.  Add eggs and bananas; blend thoroughly.  Combine milk and lemon juice.  Add dry ingredients to banana mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.  Blend well after each addition.  Stir in nuts.  Grease bottom of 9x5x3 inch pan.  Pour in batter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes, until bread springs back when lightly touched in center.  Remove from pan.  Cool on wire rack.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Sentimental Decor

The first day of autumn has now come and gone.  Soon fall festivities will be under way.   As you start pulling your fall decor from the corners of your closets, don't forget those that are hand made, especially if you saved the ones your children made, such as the pumpkin pictured here.  Whether these crafts have been in your closet for two years or twenty, they add a lot of sentimental value to your fall decor!  Please visit my website at www.entertainingforeternity.com for more ideas like these!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

My Website

If you enjoy reading my blog, then I know you will appreciate my website as well!  I am now pleased to announce the debut of my newly update website, http://entertainingforeternity.com Thank you for taking time to check it out!

Friday, September 21, 2012

In Season

As I look forward to fall and think about the seasons, I am reminded of 2 Timothy 4:2  when Paul writes, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season."  And although Paul is not referring to the four seasons, he is referring to the different seasons of our lives.  So let's be ready to share God's love with the people he's put across our paths.  Try inviting someone over for lunch this weekend.  Then pick up some Classico Pesto at your local grocery store to spread on turkey sandwiches for some extra pizzazz and flavor.  Check out http://www.classico.com/pesto-and-bruschetta/basil-pesto-sauce.aspx

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Weekend Brunch

The fall brings football, and football brings guests for the weekend.  What will you serve your overnight guests for breakfast?  I would like to recommend one of my favorite recipes, Overnight Apple French Toast.  The best part is, not only is it delicious, but you can also prepare it the night before, then stick it in the oven in the morning!  Give it a try:

Overnight Apple French Toast

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter, melted
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
3 tsp. ground cinnamon, separated
1/4 c. dried cranberries or raisins
3 apples, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
6 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 loaf day old French bread, cut into slices

Prepare 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, 1 tsp. cinnamon, and 1/4 c. dried cranberries or raisins.  Set aside.  In separate bowl, beat together eggs, milk, vanilla, and 2 tsp. cinnamon.

Layer in 9x13 pan, apple slices, brown sugar mixture, slices of French bread, and lastly, egg mixture (soaking bread completely).  Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

For optional syrup toppings:
Comine and heat 1 c. applesauce, 1-10 ounce jar of apricot or apple jelly, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp. ground cloves.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Adding Autumn Warmth

As each day passes, the subtle change of seasons can really inspire us to welcome fall, especially when craft stores everywhere bring out their brightest shades of yellow and orange.  So why not add warmth to your home by bringing a little bit of the outside, in, with the changing leaves and fall harvested fruits?  I love decorating with freshly inspired ideas from Better Homes and Gardens at www.bhg.com.  Websites such as these offer great ideas for the home, from adding autumn flavors in delicious desserts, to creating simple fall decor. Pictured here is a lovely idea I put together for a centerpiece.  I simply filled a mason jar with candy corn, then topped it with a bright bouquet and some festive ribbon.  What are some websites that inspire you?

Friday, September 14, 2012

Tea for Two


What are you saving your grandmother's tea cups for?  This weekend, have an impromptu fall tea on your deck with a friend.  Pair a pretty tea cup with a store bought treat, then watch God show up in the conversation!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

A Healthy Alternative

Now that school is back in session, get together with some friends and ask them to share their favorite fall memories from when they were growing up.  You will get to know them better and they will feel loved and cared about.  This may lead to a "walking group" where the relationships will continue to grow.  You may even want to have a speaker talk about the value of exercise.

If you invite them to your home, serve smoothies as a healthy alternative.  Here is a recipe I like to use for Easy Blender Fruit Smoothies:

  • 1 apple
  • 1 orange
  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup any fruit juice, cranberry or orange
  • Optional garnish: whipped cream
Prepare fruit by cutting into large chunks.  Blend all ingredients on low first, then gradually turn blender to highest speed.  Blend until smooth. Serve in small glasses with garnish of whipped cream.

This Smoothie recipe also serves as a healthy and refreshing after school snack when your kids return home in the afternoon!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Staying Organized

One morning a friend arrived early at my house for Bible Study.  As she watched me put the finishing touches on the refreshments, she asked, "Is having us here every week causing you too much work?"  I  knew she had asked this because she has a difficult time keeping her house organized.