Cornbread

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Cornbread.  Who would have thought something that seems so simple could be so difficult?  Too dry.  Too sweet.  Not sweet enough.  Too bready.  Too grainy.  You know what I mean?

Well, I got the inspiration for this recipe from the booklet that was included in my Nutrimill grain mill.  That recipe was almost perfect, but made such a huge amount.  So with a little finessing, this has become my go-to recipe for cornbread.

When Your Family is Sick; The Blessing of Herbal Tinctures

Jill Farris

This post is by my dear friend, Jill Campbell Farris.  She is a remarkable lady whose advice I often have sought out.  I value and trust her insight and experience.  Married to her hubby for almost 30 years and homeschooling mother to all eight of her children, Jill takes from her valuable time to help other women to lead godly and balanced lives.  You can read more from her at www.generationalwomanhood.org.  

When Your Family is Sick; The Blessing of Herbal Tinctures

by Jill Campbell Farris

I was born with a hole in my heart back in 1960 when open heart surgery was only slightly past the pioneering stage. After spending a childhood gasping for breath as well as constantly fighting illness, at the age of 11 surgery was performed and I instantly felt better. I am alive today and the proud mother of eight children due to the expertise of the surgeons who operated on me. I appreciate medical doctors!

Menu Monday, November 26

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This week is the beginning of our family's Christmas preparations.  Even though the first Sunday in Advent is December 2, we are starting early with our Jesse tree devotions and decorating the house.  Because I am working much more with my husband's business this year, I am finding that planning is the real key to keeping our household relatively stress-free.

Speaking of planning...  (I couldn't have asked for a better lead-in!)

Monday
B: Oatmeal with cranberries
L: Leftovers
D: Small group potluck

Book Review: When Your Parent Becomes Your Child

"When Your Parent Becomes Your Child" by Ken Abraham is an enlightening book about challenges of having a parent who suffers from Alzheimer's.  The author gives an honest, insightful and at times heart-wrenching account of his own experience dealing with his mother's dementia.

Cider Glazed Pork Chops

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This recipe is so good this time of year.  The warmth of the spices make this dish special enough for company but is easy enough to prepare for a weeknight dinner.  Served with brown rice or mashed potatoes and your favorite steamed veggie, and dinner's ready.

Sprouted Wheat Mock King's Hawaiian Dinner Rolls

These wonderfully aromatic rolls have been a part of our holiday menus for several years, and have been updated to use real food ingredients.

Happy Thanksgiving & Turkey Poem

This little poem was too cute not to share.  I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving!

                When I was a young turkey,

                new to the coop,

                My big brother Tom

                took me out on the stoop,

                Then he sat me down,

                and he spoke real slow,

                And he told me there was

                something that I just had to know.

Easy Layered Turkey Casserole

Thanksgiving leftovers couldn't get much simpler than this.  This dish is kind of like a Thanksgiving version of a Shepherds Pie.  It is easiest to prepare this while you are putting away leftovers from your dinner.  So easy, but so good!

Book Review: A Season for Tending

"A Season for Tending" by Cindy Woodsmall was a surprise.  I have read only one other fictional book about the Amish ("The Christmas Singing" by the same author) but was prepared for much of the same pious, seemingly perfect characters in a predictable, yet sweet, story.

Didn't get that with this book!

Menu Monday, November 19

It's Thanksgiving week.  We will be busy preparing not only food, but our hearts for this special holiday, too.  Last year I shared with you about our favorite Thanksgiving traditions.  If you'd like to use them, here are our "Thankfulness Cards" for this year.

Monday
B: Oatmeal with strawberries
L: Leftovers
D: Tacos; spanish rice; green salad with ranch dressing

Christmas: Jesse Tree

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Okay, we aren't even to Thanksgiving and I'm beginning to feel it.  Do you know what I mean?  The marketing push... the secularism... the gaudy, blinking, flashy decorations.

Are you looking for ways to make your Christmas more meaningful and more Christ-oriented?  Yes... our family, too.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

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Turkey isn't turkey without cranberry sauce.  This easy homemade version includes fresh or frozen cranberries and your choice of natural sweetener (turbinado is my fave).  If you have fresh oranges on hand, adding the juice of one or two and a little orange zest adds a nice little change, too.

Sprouted Whole Wheat Flour Buttermilk Biscuits

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This recipe is almost entirely from Alton Brown...but he didn't use sprouted soft whole wheat flour and he used shortening.

But, you are smarter than that, aren't you.

Yup.  I knew it.

Menu Monday, November 12

This week we are looking forward to doing some decorating and planning for Thanksgiving.  Can you believe it?  Me neither.

Monday
B: Oatmeal with peaches
L: Leftovers
D: Layered fiesta bake; veggies & dip; fruit salad

Book Review: Walking on Water When You Feel Like You're Drowning

Do you know someone who suffers from anxiety, depression, a compulsion or other control issue?  Maybe you?

Sprouted Flour Pumpkin Pancakes

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This past week, we didn't stick to our weekly menu very well.  But in the process I found this absolutely delightful pumpkin pancake recipe on allrecipes.com. Below is my version using real food ingredients. Top these babies with a little pat of butter and some gently warmed organic Grade B pure maple syrup.  My kiddos ate the leftovers for lunch! 

What a great way to get some veggies into your diet during the morning!

Election Prayer

 Thank you Tommy Newberry...

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for making us in your image –distinct and one-of-a-kind! We praise you for the idea that is America and for everything that is true and right about our nation. Most especially, we thank you for our individual freedom and both the blessings and burdens that come along with it.Thank you for our natural resources, our innovative businesses, our independent personality and for our giving spirit.

Forgive us now – both as individuals and as a nation – for turning away from your word and your principles. Make us sensitive to the truth. Give us a hunger and a heart for the truth. Keep us from being passive or indifferent, and instead, instill within us the courage to do mighty things for you right now. Show us what we need to do today to promote and preserve your truth for tomorrow.

Allow us to remain distinct and unique as a people, that shining city on a hill. May our actions imitate you and your goodness. May our character reflect your character. May our stewardship glorify you. And, may our leaders love you and be champions of your truth.

We pray as one for Godly leadership for our country, and we ask that you protect us from anything else. Grant us the courage to speak boldly and act wisely in defending the principles that matter most. Disrupt and dismantle any authority or plans that would lead us away from your favor and your glory.

Unify us once again as one nation under God, indivisible and with liberty and justice for all.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen

Menu Monday, November 5

This week is not only Tom's birthday, but on his special day we are headed down to Seattle to see the King Tut exhibit at the Pacific Science Center.  Years ago (I don't want to say how many) I had the opportunity to see it.  As an adult, I know that I'm more excited than the kiddos.  

By the way, I must be feeling a bit nostalgic.  But I have to say, I'm so glad that Steve Martin's "King Tut" isn't still on the radio...

Monday
B: Oatmeal with strawberries
L: Tuna melts on sourdough; raw veggies & dip
D: Cowboy hash; cornbread; fruit salad