The Career of Motherhood

The career of motherhood and homemaking is beyond value and needs no justification. It's importance is incalculable.
--Dorothy Patterson

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Happy Memorial Day!

I am so thankful for all the men who have fought and died for our great country. May we live in such a way that there sacrifices are never in vain. May God continue to bless our nation, and may our freedoms remain true. On this Memorial Day, I am remembering these men and their families, as well as Christ who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us..... God Bless the USA!

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Romans 6:3-6

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hence-forth we should not serve sin.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Thank God For Dirty Dishes

Thank  God for dirty dishes,
They have a tale to tell;
While other folks go hungry,
We're eating very well.
With home and health and happiness
We shouldn't want to fuss,
For by this stack of evidence,
God's very good to us.   --Dear Abby column

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Whole Wheat M&M Cookies

Well I will have to say that it would be a stretch to say these are healthy cookies.... but these are healthier than white flour cookies, and they are oh so good.

1 C. butter softened                          1 1/2 C. Sucanat or demerara
1/2 tspn salt                                      1 tspn baking soda
1 tspn vanilla extract                         2 Large eggs
2 1/4 C. whole wheat flour               medium bag of M&M's






First I would like to talk  a little bit about the different types of natural sweeteners, that I use for baking. The one above is Sucanat. It is dehydrated cane juice. It is somewhat healthier than white sugar because it still retains minerals. White sugar has been processed until there is no natural goodness left. 



This is sucanat with honey, it is dehydrated cane and honey combined. This is my personal favorite. This is hard to find and expensive. So I use this sparingly.



Demerara is another name for dehydrated cane as well. You can by this at the local grocer. It is very good tasting but a little bit bigger granules. If you don't like the bigger granules you could grind it a little finer.

Place the butter and sugar together and cream. Now you will want to make sure it is very well combined and light and fluffy. Stir in salt, baking soda, and vanilla. Add the eggs, beat very well.  Add in flour.

Add in M&Ms and stir by hand, so the mixer doesn't brake them to pieces.

Drop these by table spoons onto the cookie sheet you want these large. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Let them rest on pan a few minutes before taking them off.

This is the result! I love these cookies. I hope you do too.

Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Our Grandmothers Day

Grandmother, on a winter's day, milked the cows and fed them hay, slopped the hogs, saddled the mule, then got the children off to school, did a washing, mopped the floors, washed the windows, and did some chores; cooked a dish of home-dried fruit, pressed her husband's Sunday suit.
Swept the parlor, made the bed, baked a dozen loaves of bread, split some firewood, and then lugged in enough to fill the kitchen bin; cleaned the lamps and put in oil, stewed some apples she thought would spoil; churned the butter, baked a cake, then exclaimed, " For heaven's sake, the calves have got out of the pen:"- went out and chased them in again.

Gathered the eggs and locked the stable, back to the house and set the table, cooked a supper that was delicious, and afterward washed up all the dishes, fed the cat and sprinkled the clothes, mended a basketful of hose; then opened the organ and began to play, " When You Come to the End of a Perfect Day."
-- Author Unknown

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Renewing Our Minds, Summer is Almost Here!

Every summer I start to think about modesty.... You know every girl would love to look amazing in a bikini, Its ok. We can admit it... as long as we don't really follow through with our little fantasy. I grew up going to the public school and I never thought a thing about modesty. I wore my short shorts and skirts.  Bikinis were the norm for me.  When I became a christian at the age of 18 I started learning a new standard. A new standard for women, at least it was new for me.  I wanted to be the best I could be for my Lord, but how could I do this... with the Bible as my guide I started to study and read on my role as a christian woman. I realized that I had a lot of changing to do.( I still do, I am a work in progress) I have worked on the issue of modesty for years. I really have to commit to renewing my mind on a yearly basis in regards to this area. I find myself wanting to slip back into the same old patterns of dress.

 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2.

So many times as modesty is brought up you hear people crying legalism. It is never legalistic to follow God and his standards. The world can not be our standard. Hollywood or the latest fad in the neighborhood can not be our deciding factor  on what we put on. We must think about our brethren. We must set an example for our sisters and brothers in the Lord. Also we must set an example for the world. I like to think of modesty as a gift. A gift that I can give to others. Hopefully they never look at me and feel lustful or disgusted. If ever they have I hope they will except my sincere apology.

Worship services is a place that we should put extra care and thought into our dress. For one we are coming together to worship the Most High God. He deserves our best. Another thing is our brothers, they can not help but have sexually related thoughts, if they see something provocative.  It is the way they were created. My husband has given me the 411 on this, and I have read articles where men have shared similar thoughts. I have to admit when I first heard this  I was floored. We as women are not made up this way. It definitely made me be more considerate of their feelings and struggles. As Christians we are taught to put others first , Jesus first
Others second
Yourself last.

JOY that is what you get when you apply this little saying. There is joy in following our Lord's teachings. So as we get geared up for summer and all the fun that it holds. I pray that we can keep in our minds our dear Lords teachings on the subject of modesty. May we do our best to hold to the high and holy standards of God. If we stumble ask for forgiveness and try again.

" In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls or costly array." 1 Timothy 2:9

Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Calvary's Love

If Monotony tries me, and I cannot stand drudgery: If people fret me and the little things of life set me on edge; if I make much of the trifles of life, then I know nothing of calvarys love.       
 -Amy Carmichael

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

A Trip to Plains, Georgia

This weekend we went to Plains, GA to see my nephew, Cody graduate. We had a wonderful time.

He took us to see Plains High School, which is now a museum. Why don't they build beautiful schools like this any more? This is Jimmy Carter's home town and he still lives there.

This was the principles office.

This was the original auditorium. They played a movie about the school and Jimmy Carter's time there. It was so neat.

This is the side of the theater seats ,all original. The initials stand for Plains High School.

This would have been the class room. Along the hall they have old pictures and details about  time in the class and how they taught.

Levi and Sophia sitting in the old desks with ink wells.

Playing the teacher.

After we left the high school we went over to Carters general store for some peanut butter ice cream.(the best I have ever had)   We got a surprise, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter were there meeting and greeting people. I snapped this photo of him. He is really down to earth and seemed very kind. He has done so much for this little town. If you are ever in GA I would suggest swingin in here and seeing this little piece of America's history.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

A Friend

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
D. Roberts

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

A Time To Leave

Well it has happened......Savanah is packing and getting ready to go......

We are loading up the car and all squeezing in......

Savanah is going to beauty school in another town....don't worry it' grandmas town.  She will be home on the weekends, but it will still be hard.  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1. May God keep his loving eyes on her while we are apart. If you think about it keep her in your prayers.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Whole Wheat Banana Muffins

I would like to share  this recipe for banana muffins, it is so simple and delicious.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 C. wheat flour                                                       1 C. buttermilk

1 tsp. salt                                                                        1 egg

1 tsp. baking soda                                                          1/2 C. olive oil

1 tsp. baking powder                                                      1/2 C. honey (raw)

2-3 mashed bananas                                                       1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg                                                               nuts if desired

Measure dry ingredients into mixing bowl. Add liquids.

Mix just until well blended.

Add mashed bananas, cinnamon, nutmeg and nuts if desired.

Pour into greased muffin pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

I like to melt a little butter and brush the tops as soon as they come out of the oven. Then roll them in Sucanat or sweetener of choice!  These are wonderful for snacks or breakfast.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Aunt Teresa's Sitting Room

Well we have arrived at the last room I will be sharing in Aunt Teresa's house. This is a very beautiful room.

This is a real stuffed peacock. It is very pretty in person.

These were popular in the Victorian era.

This is her tea cart. This is actually in the adjoining dining room.

I hope you have enjoyed her home. It is a wonderful place to visit.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo 



We must not measure life by any earthly standard. There are lives the world crowns as successful but that heaven rates as failures. And there are other lives some may pity, but, in God's sight, are noble successes. Earnest christians bless others truly for Christ, but there may seem to be little result. Yet we do not know what good may come out of a true work that has at first appeared to fail. Your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Results may not come immediatley but they will somewhere, sometime. Outside the mill a waterwheel turns and seems to accomplish nothing. But inside, machinery makes flour to feed the hungry. Our lives may seem, with all there activities, to produce no result but who knows what blessings they shall become, what impression they leave on other lives for eternity?

J.R. Miller

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo



A Gift From Mom

Friday we set out on a little trip to visit my parents. I did not get to go for Mothers Day. I was taking her a gift, and I got a surprise, she got me a gift too.

She bought me and my sister each one of these cookbooks! The title is Healthy Choices. It is from the Keepers at Home Magazine Editors. These are all recipes using no sugar, no white flour and no artificial anything. I spent yesterday evening going through the cookbook and deciding what recipes I will try this week. Mom made the carrot cake with a healthy frosting it was delicious! It has bread recipes, desserts of all kinds (my favorite), and dinners, breakfasts, sides. I really hope you check this book out. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Vintage School Books

I home school my children  and I am always on the look out for vintage school books. They are so neat and depict a very beautiful time of  life.....

I found these at a thrift store recently and I was so happy to get them all for around $20.00.

Now Levi and I read them everyday for part of school. I find they are wonderful, because they are repetitive. They learn to read quickly and efficiently using repetition.

Aren't the graphics so cute! I would highly recommend getting older books for your children, whenever possible.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies

Today I wanted to share one of my families favorite recipes. This is healthier than traditional peanut butter cookies. Whenever I can I try to think of healthy alternatives to the junk food we so often eat. This is so simple.

Ingredients:

1/2 C. butter, softened                                    1 C.  whole wheat flour

1/2 C. peanut butter                                        1 t. baking soda

1/2 C. packed brown sugar                             1/2 /c dry milk powder

1 egg                                                               1/2 t. vanilla

This is what whole wheat berries look like before grinding, The ultimate goal is to grind your own grain. You get all of the vitamins and minerals out of the wheat when it is freshly ground. If you can't grind your own you can buy whole wheat flour.

This is what freshly ground wheat looks like.

Cream butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar in mixing bowl.

Add egg and vanilla: mix well.

Stir in flour, soda, and dry milk powder.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet; flatten with fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

They are so GOOD!

If your really good I add a kiss :)

Until We Meet Again

Amy Jo