Family Unity and an update on winners

The picture above is a puzzle based on a story about a whole family needing to work together to pull a giant turnip out of the ground. ~This is us lately. The original story was an old Russian folk tale. You can find many new and old versions on Amazon. The significance of the story is everlasting for any strong Christian family, or any family for that matter. When you have everyone working and pulling together for the good of the family you can accomplish a lot more. 
My most recent observation was of our family trying to clean house. Working independently the children were scattered and disorganized, and we as parents were frustrated. But when we coordinated our efforts we got the cleaning done in record time because we were all working together and happy to do it, since we weren't doing it alone. It's kind of a funny combination of "share your joy" and "misery loves company". The jobs we have aren't always fun, but the joy shared in our hearts can make it bearable. The best blessing of this unified work habit is that we ALL get to enjoy the relaxation time or play time together. It's really funny how the earthly mind will work. 

         I observed the following scene one day... Daddy was sitting on the couch enjoying his coffee while the children played roughly making chaos and mama begrudgingly prepared and served breakfast alone. Then later in the day mama rested while daddy washed dishes and the children were again in chaos. THEN the children were assigned work while mama and daddy took a brief moment to talk. In the end EVERYONE felt they had been working while everyone else sat around. In the context of timing each person was right, but in the context of work done we were all wrong. Our earthly minds had fooled us into feeling sorry for ourselves while the others "played". 
       Then on another day we all worked together to prepare breakfast and clean up and finish chores, then we all enjoyed a happy time of playing together. All of us walked away from it feeling a sense of accomplishment as well as the joy of our play time. What a joy that day was for us. I find it so funny to think that unity is a Godly idea and yet we hear continuously "we all have our OWN responsibilities". While there is some truth to that in theory, let us put the focus on unity rather than ourselves and OUR OWN tasks. Selfishness is a slippery slope that can often disguise itself in many ways.

¹⁶"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:16 KJV

(BTW- ~ The puzzle pictured above is made of wood, hand painted, and is available at Peace Fleece.)

Blessings from our family to yours!  
Staci

WINNERS Please read: I'm still waiting to hear from Mary and Jessica, I'll give it another week or so for you to get back to me. For the tea winners we have Mary and Jessica! Thanks for playing! Whoever emails me first gets to pick their flavor! So don't wait!

To all our lovely ladies, thanks for playing along and don't worry, family stuff and health emergencies have kept me away from the computer and the post office, but your goodies are on their way!

The Depression Era and a recipe for Poor Mans Cake

A dear friend of mine shared some info on depression recipes. And well, as much as people want to say we're not that bad off yet. I think it can never be too early to start preparing and remembering. I listened to a story of a dear old lady who ate stale bread to remind herself of the suffering during the depression. So she would never forget. I'm guessing so that she would always be thankful. Another reason not to forget, is so that we won't forget how to survive and even thrive in those times. Many of the depression survivors are gone home, but there are still many that remain, and most of them are willing to share what they know if we'll listen. Seek them out and ask what they know. Then practice what you learn! Do it now while you don't HAVE to. If depression era recipes, and ways of living are part of our normal daily life, using them when we have to will not shock our bodies or minds so much when it becomes a necessity. So without further ado...

Poor Mans Cake

An egg-less, dairy free cake. A great spice cake used to stretch a budget or even for those with allergy considerations.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 1/2 cups coffee or water
• 1/3 cup fat drippings or oil
• 2 cups dark raisins
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons water
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine sugar, water, vegetable oil, raisins, and spices in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Take pan off heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
3. Dissolve baking soda and salt in 2 teaspoons of water and add to raisin mixture (it will foam).
4. Blend in the flour and baking powder. Mix well.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 9 inch square pan and bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick unserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Let cake cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

For your reading pleasure... I also found a neat article on living in the depression. It contains lots of neat info, a video about depression cooking, as well as a link to more information on depression living. You can read it HERE.

^"6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Mathew 24:6 KJV

Many blessings to you all!

Some Level Headed Info About Nuclear Fall Out

UPDATE: I'm cleaning house... Previously I had the full context of a great article by Shane Conner of ki4u.com posted on here. I was happy to share it and still recommend you read it. However, due to the length and amount of graphics included in the article I have trimmed it down to just an introduction to the article followed by a link to the actual article itself...

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This guide 'When An ill Wind Blows From Afar! (Like from Japan Fukushima reactor)' deals specifically with radioactive fallout that originated from afar, like a Chernobyl in the past,
or Iran in the future that's had its nuclear facilities bombed, releasing radioactive contamination into the atmosphere, or a North Korea gone mad, etc.
This guide provides panic dispelling knowledge so people downwind can more promptly initiate appropriate protective actions, as required.
This is the third in the series that begins with The Good News About Nuclear Destruction! at www.ki4u.com/goodnews.htm
that debunks the myths of nuclear un-survivability and What To Do If A Nuclear Disaster Is Imminent! at www.ki4u.com/guide.htm
that details the practical methods for American families to protect themselves from nuclear explosion(s) and fallout originating here.

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You can read the full article here.
I do reccommend going to the site even if you're not in a current "danger zone" because education and knowledge are good to have. Especially in a situation that can be life threatening. My prayer is that you will seek the guidance of the Lord in these matters and learn without undue fear. Fear of the Lord is the only fear we should carry, all else is just fluff.  

¹⁴"Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD." Joshua 24:14 KJV

 Blessings Staci 

We Have New Giveaway Winners! - plus details for next week!

UPDATE ON WINNERS: For the tea winners we have Mary and Jessica! Thanks for playing! Whoever emails me first gets to pick their flavor! So don't wait!

To all our lovely ladies, thanks for playing along and don't worry, family stuff and health emergencies have kept me away from the computer and the post office, but your goodies are on their way! Blessings to you and yours! Staci

Just in case we have anyone who's joining us for the first time, I want to welcome you and tell you you've picked the perfect time to join in! We're announcing this weeks winners and spilling the details for next weeks prizes, and how YOU can get them! So the first thing you want to do is head on over to my good friend's new website gracenotes and then check out this blog entry that tells you all you need to know about our awesome giveaway!

Now for this weeks winners we were drawing first for the Arnica Muscle Salve!

             AND THE WINNER IS JAIME LYNN!

And for the next item up for grabs is the All Better Butter!

                     OUR SECOND WINNER IS dontfencemein - JAMIE!

Ok, well that's it for this week! But look what next weeks winners get! A couple really great specialty tea blends. They're called sample sizes, but each bag will make about 8 servings! So you'll get plenty to try and enjoy. For our giveaway we've got a bag of the elegant

Lavender Lemongrass- here is what they have to say about it:  

"We brought this unique combination of herbs together to make a delightful, light, refreshing herbal tea that the whole family can enjoy. 

Lemongrass is know for having a calming effect, relieving insomnia and stress.  It also helps detoxify the body and stimulates digestion, circulation, and lactation.

Lavender is an excellent tonic for nervous tension and restlessness.  It is also known for relieving pain, enhancing circulation, and assisting with respiratory problems."

Next we have the rich Vanilla Rooibos - and this is why they love it:

"Smooth and delicious 

Rooibos is naturally caffeine free.  It is considered a "red" tea, although it honestly reminds us of an exceptionally mild and mellow black tea.  We have added vanilla to our Rooibos to create an especially delightful blend.

We especially love Vanilla Rooibos sweetened (with sugar or a natural sweetener such as agave or honey) and then we add milk for a wonderfully mild and creamy taste."

 Lets Do a recap- so far you can get an entry for emailing, blogging, facebooking, or tweeting about the giveaway, telling me what product on her website you'd most like to have, sharing a new product idea, following my blog and asking for that entry, and last but not least, my absolute favorite fun entry... tell me what dreamy flavor would you like to see in a sugar scrub? (if you're just joining in you can use the comments on this page to add in your entries too!)

So far that's a total of 8 possible entries and for this week I'll add another...

For your final entry you can comment below,

~tell me what body care item you own that is a total luxury but one you wouldn't want to live without?

I look forward to your responses! and thanks again for playing along!
Blessings to all!

Big Birthday Giveaway Winner!

Ok, first an apology, I meant to post last night but life got so busy I wasn't able to get on, Sorry! But I did have a wonderful birthday and it was definitely worth the delay!


 NOW FOR THE WINNER OF THE BIG BIRTHDAY PRIZE!

Chosen by my wonderful son

The winner is... J & A
Congratulations! You've won your choice of flavor in the full size sugar scrub! Contact me to let me know what you want and where to send it to! Thanks for playing along!

And don't forget everyone there is still time to get additional entries for tonight's giveaway! (click on the link for info if you missed the last post) We'll be giving away the Arnica Muscle Salve 1/2 oz size, and the All Better Butter 1/2 oz size. These are great products to have around the house for sore muscles and little owies on your little ones!

Tonight we'll also give info on how to get another entry for next week!

Until tonight! Blessings!