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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Do I Really Want to Change?


"How can I know what God is showing me if I'm too afraid to look?"

I read that tonight in a book I'm using for Bible study and thought, "Wow---yep, that's me!" 

Do I really want the change I'm asking God for?  Yes, I do, but I want it to happen immediately, easily, and without any pain or discomfort!

"I have made you hear new things from this time, even hidden things, and you did not know them."  ~Isaiah 48:6

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.  To get something you've never had before, you'll need to do something you've never done before.


Sometimes we don't get immediate answers from God because he wants us to decide within ourselves whether or not we really want the change we're asking for.

Maybe you know you want a change but you don't know what the change is and so you don't know how to pray for it.  Here's a great prayer for a starting point:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." ~Psalm 51: 10

Maybe you think you want a change but you can't ask for it with an honest heart because you want to orchestrate exactly when and how the change occurs.  Here's something else I read in a devotional book:  "Do you have 'control issues'?  The need to have power over something?  Try controlling your tongue and taking power over bad attitudes and harmful habits."  Ouch.


We can be sure that God hears us when we ask him to change us.  We can be sure he will answer when we ask him to make us more like him.  Often times, the change isn't the problem.  The problem is having patience during the process!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;  old things have passed away;  behold, all things have become new."  ~2 Corinthians 5:17

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.



Linking with:

Wisdom Wednesdays @Simply Helping Him
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays 
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz
Simple Living Wednesdays @ Our Simple Farm
Sheltering Linkup @ A Sheltering Tree
Shoe Lace Linkup @ Living In the Shoe
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace and Crafts
Legacy Leaver Thursday @ Leaving a Legacy
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop 
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable  
Desire to Inspire @ A Royal Daughter
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six 
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home 
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thoughtful Thursday @ Found the Marbles 
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Farm Girl Friday @ Let This Mind Be In You
Fit & Frugal Family Friday
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
Or So She Says...
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Finding the Pretty & Delicious @ Your Homebased Mom
30 Min. Linkup @ 30 Days
Sharing Creative Ideas @ Made By Joey
Sunday Showcase Party@Under the Table and Dreaming 
Sundae Scoop @ I heart nap time
The Creative Homemaker Hop 
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
One More Time
Sunday Blog Hop @ Cuddlebug Cuties
Motivate Me Monday 
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom 
Matrimonial Monday @ A Proverbs 31 Wife 
Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill 
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy 
Masterpiece Monday @ BoogieBoard Cottage 
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 
Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T. 
Mondays with Countrified Hicks
Manic Monday @ Cupcake-n-Bake
Mommy Mondays
Making Your Home Sing Monday
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home
Tutorial Tuesdays with Hope Studios
Courtship Connection
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good 
Domestically Divine @ Far Above Rubies
(Titus 2)s Days @ Time Warp Wife
Tending the Home Tuesday
The Bliss Project Linkup @ Grace-Full Intentions    

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Easy Berry Freezer Jam & the Homemaking Party



Please feel free to pin anything I post!
Today for my Homemaking Party, I want to share my super easy method of making berry freezer jam.  I know this is not the only way to make jam---it might not be the easiest, and it's likely not the healthiest, but it's a great beginner method for those who just want some fresh strawberry jam in their freezer this year!


 You can use any berries for this method.  I'm using strawberries---or "baw-shoos", as my toddler self called them.


Crush the washed and hulled berries with a potato masher or some other smushing tool.  I like the Pampered Chef Mix 'N Chop for this job.  Just don't chop them if you're using strawberries.  I'd read this somewhere before but thought I'd give it a shot just to see if it was true.  It's true.  If you chop the strawberries, they won't release enough juice and your jam won't thicken.


So, after you've crushed the strawberries, measure how much you have and then dump them into a large stock pot.  Mine is 16 qt.  You'll need one fairly bigger than the amount of jam you're making because it will foam up as it boils.  Then measure the same amount of sugar into the pot.  So, today I had 9 cups of crushed strawberries so I added 9 cups of sugar.
Turn the burner up to medium-high and stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Let the mixture boil, stirring occasionally, until the jam sheets off the spoon (as opposed to dripping off).  By the way, they make long-handled wooden spoons for use in large stock pots.  Get one---so you don't burn your hand off.


Pour into a glass or plastic container that has a tight-fitting lid, but let the jam cool in the container before covering.  I use all kinds of different containers for this---they don't have to be specifically made for jam.  You can store glass jars in the freezer---just make sure you cool them all the way first. Store the cooled jam in your freezer for as long as it lasts, or in your fridge for up to 30 days.

Thanks so much to Mel from Mama Buzz for featuring this recipe!

I hope you'll join me for this week's Homemaking Linkup.  I love to feature some of the neat posts that are linked up so please make sure and put my button or a text link on your blog so you'll be eligible to be featured!

Here are a few of my favorites from last week's party:

Gloria made this very awesome-looking Pulled Pork Philly---doesn't it look delicious?  Being from the PNW, I didn't really know what a Philly was---but I knew I wanted to eat it! Ha! This is going on the menu next week for sure!  Gloria's got lots of great recipes at Simply Gloria.
Meghan at First Comes Love shared a day out with her kids, shopping for homeschooling materials.  I love seeing moms encouraging their daughters in modest and feminine dress.  What a great day for her family!

JES from Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth has been a blessing to me since I first discovered her blog a couple years ago.  This week she talked about the benefits of a homemaker who rises early.  While, at this point in life, I'm not able to have the exact experience she describes here, I was very encouraged to do what I can with where I'm at.

Thanks to everyone for the great posts!

Now for the linkup.  Please remember to return the favor by adding my button or a text link to your post.  Have a great weekend!


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Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.





Linking with:


Homemaking Party @ Hope In Every Season
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace and Crafts
Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Legacy Leaver Thursday @ Leaving a Legacy
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop 
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable  
Desire to Inspire @ A Royal Daughter
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six 
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home 
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thoughtful Thursday @ Found the Marbles
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm 
Family Fun Friday @ Happy and Blessed Home
Farm Girl Friday @ Let This Mind Be In You
Fit & Frugal Family Friday 
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
Or So She Says...
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Finding the Pretty & Delicious @ Your Homebased Mom
30 Min. Linkup @ 30 Days
Sharing Creative Ideas @ Made By Joey
Sunday Showcase Party@Under the Table and Dreaming 
Craft Schooling Sunday @ Creative Jewish Mom 
Church Supper @ Everyday Mom's Meals 
Sundae Scoop @ I heart nap time
The Creative Homemaker Hop 
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
One More Time
Craft-o-Maniac Monday  
Motivate Me Monday 
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom 
Matrimonial Monday @ A Proverbs 31 Wife 
Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill 
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy 
Masterpiece Monday @ BoogieBoard Cottage 
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 
Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T. 
Mondays with Countrified Hicks
Manic Monday @ Cupcake-n-Bake
Mommy Mondays
A Return to Loveliness @ A Delightsome Life
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage 
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home
Tutorial Tuesdays with Hope Studios
Courtship Connection
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good 
Domestically Divine @ Far Above Rubies
(Titus 2)s Days @ Time Warp Wife
Tending the Home Tuesday
The Bliss Project Linkup @ Grace-Full Intentions
Make Bake Create @ Hope In Every Season
Wisdom Wednesdays @Simply Helping Him
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays 
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage  
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz
Watcha Work-Up Wednesday 
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants 
Wow Me Wednesday @ Gingersnap Creations
Simple Living Wednesdays @ Our Simple Farm
Sheltering Linkup @ A Sheltering Tree
Shoe Lace Linkup @ Living In the Shoe  
  


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Make Bake Create Party #3: Apple Pancake


  
Welcome to this week's Make Bake Create Party! Every Wednesday come and link up your favorite projects from the week. This could be any food, recipes, crafts or DIY! Since there are 5 hosts... your link will be seen on 5 blogs at once. SWEET! Meet your hosts:
your hosts










We would love for you to follow us on Twitter!
The Rookie Seamstress


Today our host of the week, Kristy, is featuring this yummy Apple Pancake.  Hop over to Mommy Hates Cooking to check it out!

This week on my blog, I showed off this adorable wreath I made for our home. Visit my guest post on Simply Helping Him to see why I chose this quote---and how I made it, super easy and super cheap!


There were lots of great ideas and yummy food featured last week.  Here are a couple of my favorites.  If you're featured, make sure to grab a "featured button" for your blog!


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Keri at Shaken Together shared these delicious Lemon Pies.  I've totally been craving a lemony dessert and will definitely be making these soon!


Lisa's Gumball Picture at Hoopla Palooza is just about the cutest thing ever!  I love the idea of using Sticky Stitches---I'd never seen those before!  I think the idea would make a great picture frame for a kid's birthday picture.

The Make Bake Create Party is like none other. Make sure to follow our Make Bake Create Party Pin Board where we will be pinning the projects linked up here!   



Disclaimer and things to keep in mind~

* You may link up any DIY/ recipe/ food type post.

* You may link as many links as you want.

* Be sure to include The Make Bake Create button or text link to in your linked post; this is recommended in order to be featured!


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* By linking up, you are agreeing that you have permission to use any photos linked, and that we may use them to feature your project on a blog post or any social media, with a link back to your blog.

Now Ready... set... Link Up!!!

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.





Linking with:

Make Bake Create @ Hope In Every Season
Wisdom Wednesdays @Simply Helping Him
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays 
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage  
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz 
Watcha Work-Up Wednesday 
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants 
Wow Me Wednesday @ Gingersnap Creations
Simple Living Wednesdays @ Our Simple Farm
Sheltering Linkup @ A Sheltering Tree
Shoe Lace Linkup @ Living In the Shoe
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace and Crafts
Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Legacy Leaver Thursday @ Leaving a Legacy
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop 
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable  
Desire to Inspire @ A Royal Daughter
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six 
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home 
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thoughtful Thursday @ Found the Marbles
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Beverly's Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound
Family Fun Friday @ Happy and Blessed Home
Farm Girl Friday @ Let This Mind Be In You
Fit & Frugal Family Friday
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
Or So She Says...
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Finding the Pretty & Delicious @ Your Homebased Mom
30 Min. Linkup @ 30 Days
Sharing Creative Ideas @ Made By Joey
Sunday Showcase Party@Under the Table and Dreaming 
Craft Schooling Sunday @ Creative Jewish Mom 
Sundae Scoop @ I heart nap time
The Creative Homemaker Hop 
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
One More Time
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Craft-o-Maniac Monday  
Motivate Me Monday 
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom 
Matrimonial Monday @ A Proverbs 31 Wife 
Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill 
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy 
Masterpiece Monday @ BoogieBoard Cottage 
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 
Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T. 
Mondays with Countrified Hicks
Manic Monday @ Cupcake-n-Bake
Mommy Mondays
A Return to Loveliness @ A Delightsome Life
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage 
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home
Tutorial Tuesdays with Hope Studios
Courtship Connection
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good 
Domestically Divine @ Far Above Rubies
(Titus 2)s Days @ Time Warp Wife
Tending the Home Tuesday
The Bliss Project Linkup @ Grace-Full Intentions  
   

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