The Homemaking Party: Introducing The Eden Concept by Dana and Kimberly Williams

Welcome to the Homemaking Party! First off, let me thank everyone for your kindness and patience as I took my little blogging break! I'm excited to be back at it and looking forward to all that 2018 brings!

Today is launch day for my good friend, Kimberly Williams. She and her husband, Dana, have written an excellent book on marriage and I hope you'll check it out.

The Eden Concept is a bold breath of fresh air! I love the "back to Genesis" concept especially, as I've been challenged recently to study more how everything goes back to Genesis. The Williams' don't mince words when it comes to discussing our messed up culture's views of the sanctity of marriage---a boldness that those seeking Biblical relationships are thirsty for in these times.

One part that especially blessed me were the Scriptures referring to God's role as helper. I'm very happy in my role as helper to my husband but I'd never considered it as an actual attribute of God. In fact, just reading that over again makes me want to go back and reread the whole book!

I'm so excited to hear testimonies from other readers. This book is a blessing--- I hope you'll check it out!

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Hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! I'm off to my sewing club in SW Missouri tonight. I love driving the backroads out there, hoping to spot a Plain people's buggy on the road!

Blessings,
Sarah

The Greatest Showman: Amen, Yes Sir, Drop the Mic, etc.

In November, Jamie took me to see Murder on the Orient Express. I'm a diehard Poirot fan and the movie didn't disappoint. During the previews, I caught my first glimpse of a movie I wasn't aware had been made: The Greatest Showman. Being the Victorianophile that I am, I've read quite a bit on P.T. Barnum and some of the performers who worked with him, and as soon as I realized what this movie was about, I literally shouted his name in the theater! It would have probably embarrassed Jamie if not for the fact that he's learned to expect the unexpected when doing life with me---and we were the only ones in the theater.

Anyway, I was super excited to see the show this month, to say the least. Our son, Cainan, was also dying to see it so when he found out his youth pastor was getting ready to show spoilers next week, I knew we'd better get out and see it asap! Jamie and I took him this afternoon.

I've been to the theater twice today, actually, because the moment I got home, I declared to Michael that he had 15 minutes to get dressed and ready because he was taking Lynzie to see the evening showing. They're there as I write this.

There's so much I want to say about it but it's one of those experiences that words can't do justice to. A holy experience, even, if you let it be. The message of the movie empowers, emboldens, affirms, uplifts. It frees.

Throughout the entire show, me and the huge lump in my throat were thinking one basic idea: freedom. So many people think a relationship with Christ and a Biblical life are things which restrict and restrain. People who don't understand Christ's sacrifice believe it's a burdensome life that will keep them from all they could be. The truth is, Christ's blood frees us. Christ's covering empowers, emboldens, affirms, uplifts. It allows us to be everything we were created to be and introduces a world of unimaginable possibilities to those who will walk in obedience.

Part of being obedient is being bold enough to be who God created you to be.

One song from the show keeps running through my mind, with just one phrase slightly changed:

"When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna sing the blood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me"

Silly, maybe...but that's what I kept hearing every time she said, send a flood. The blood of Jesus---vital to our existence in every way, it also gives us the freedom to boldly be who God created us to be.

That's all I got, folks. Go see the movie. Go thank God for the freedom he's given you. Then go fearlessly be all he created you to be.

The Homemaking Party: Cranberry Orange Scones

Hello Friends! 

Hope everyone is having a joyful and relaxing cozy season. I've cleared my schedule this week so I'm just kicking back, making goodies, reading books, and writing letters! If you love handwritten correspondence, check out the New Year Pen Friend exchange at The Victorian Letter Writers Guild. I'm taking sign ups through January 10. 

On Sunday, our worship team had a little breakfast party together and I made these Cranberry Orange scones. I had several compliments and requests for the recipe so thought I'd post it here for you all. Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party!

Cranberry Orange Scones

2 c. flour

10 tsp. sugar

1 TB grated orange peel (orange zest)

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/3 c. cold butter

1 c. dried cranberries

1/4 c. cream, half and half, or milk

juice from the orange (or 1/4 c.)

1 egg

1 TB milk

In a large bowl, stir the flour, 7 teaspoons sugar, orange zest, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (I use a pastry blender); set aside. In a small bowl, stir the cranberries, orange juice, cream and egg. Add to flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Finish mixing with your hands to incorporate all flour and then knead in the bowl six or seven times. Pat dough out into about an 8 inch circle on a greased baking sheet. Cut the circle into 8-10 wedges, stopping short of cutting all the way through. Brush with milk and sprinkle with remaining 3 teaspoons sugar.

Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on pan about 5 minutes, then cut through each wedge with a sharp knife and finish cooling on a rack or serve hot.