Home Blessing Tip: Dishwashing Spray

This tip is for those of us who like to stretch and squeeze out every last drop of anything to make it go further. I am one of those people.

You know those times when you only need to wash one spoon, or one bowl? Around our home, this usually happens when the dishwasher is not yet full enough to run, but all of the bowls were used last meal (we have a big family), and someone needs a clean one for a cereal snack.

It is almost impossible to pour out only one drop of liquid dish soap to wash that one item. Usually you end up squirting out way more than you need, maybe even enough to wash a whole sink load of dishes.

So I have found a perfect solution. Here goes: are you ready?

Dishwashing Spray.

To make it, pour 1/8th -1/4th cup of liquid dish soap (depending on how thick your soap is) into a 16 oz. spray bottle. Fill it up the rest of the way with water and shake to blend.

When you spray it on your dish, the dilution saves the step of adding water, and you use only the amount you need. Just wash with a sponge, and rinse in hot water.

Perfect. If you are like me. And you care about such things.:)

Easter, a Special Celebration

Looking back today to celebrate what I have to look forward to...thank you, Jesus.

Mommy, will you play with me?

I have great intentions to actually PLAY with my kids on a daily basis, but more often than not, and many more times than I care to admit, I allow my neverending laundry, errands and other household tasks to get in the way and take precedence and then before I know it, it is bedtime. My bad.

In an attempt to remedy this, I have begun looking at different types of games to play with them. I have run across a company called EEBOO. They produce card games and all sorts of other colorful eye-catching items including a Tea Party Game that I am sure Emily would LOVE. I ordered the Colorful Go Fish and the Old Maid card games, and am very pleased with the quality, altho the price was kind of high. I am thinking of it as an investment....after all, I hope to have grandchildren some day! I am going to order a few items here and there when I have the cash. If any of you know where I could purchase them locally, I would appreciate the info!

We did play the Colorful Go Fish last night, and had a great time. Do any of you ever struggle with fitting in playtime with your kids? How do you make it a priority in your day/ week?

No Greater Joy

I was blessed this weekend to go to a church retreat and spend some quality time with my Mother and four of our children. It was so peaceful to be out in nature away from the hustle and bustle of regular life. It gave me joy to see Kimberley just being able to relax... it was fun to watch the excitement of the kids hunting and finding insects with their bug-catching equipment....especially when Marjorie and a friend found a wounded butterfly, gave it some TLC and were able to see it fly off on its own just as we were leaving camp....I enjoyed picking wildflowers with Emily and having a "party" with her stuffed animals...and it was special to see Nathaniel in the distance going on a hike with a dear friend. But what filled me the most were the questions and comments from the their hearts to mine, and now to yours:

Kimberley and Marjorie, on the way to camp,"Mom, thank you so much for teaching us about God."

Nathaniel, during a skit about going to heaven, "Mommy, am I a Christian?"

Kimberley, on the way home, "I am so happy because I have been doing the right things...I'm not afraid to die anymore...I used to be afraid, but I'm not anymore because I have the assurance of heaven."

Nathaniel, after we got home and were getting into bed, "Mommy, I just want to spend a little Bible time with you before we go to sleep."

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John:4

Lord, make me worthy of the calling to teach them your truth.

Poppy Seed Chicken

This dish was served and enjoyed by all at our Ladies Night with church on Monday evening...I made it for our family meal last evening and everyone liked it, even the kids...thought I would share it...I adapted it to lower the fat and calories for a more healthy version.

6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped into small chunks
1 can cream of chicken soup (I used the healthy version)
8 oz. nonfat sour cream
1 sleeve of Ritz crackers (with whole wheat), crushed
Poppy Seed
1/4 cup melted butter (I used Smart Balance Light)

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix soup, sour cream and chicken together and spread in large casserole dish.
Sprinkle crushed cracker crumbs over top.
Drizzle butter over crumbs.
Sprinkle poppy seeds over all.
Bake for 30 minutes. Serves 6.

You can serve alone or over rice. We had it with steamed broccoli as a side. Enjoy!

I Need a "Bless You"

For a couple weeks now, as I would be going through my day cleaning house or whatever, my daughter Emily (3) and I would have a conversation like this:

"Mom, I need a "bless you"!

(I would think to myself at that moment, puzzled, "did she just sneeze? I don't remember her sneezing?! Oh, well, maybe I was just too busy to hear it....")

"Bless you, Emily!"

Louder: "NO, MOM, I need a BLESS YOU!"

"OKAY, EMILY, BLESS YOU!!"

Still unsatisfied with my answer, she would finally just wander off. Emily has been known to be very demanding... or shall I say... assertive, and more often than not, she will ask me to repeat things for her just to make sure she has my attention, so I just figured she was doing that again. Well, after going through this same interchange about a million times in a week, I decided to analyze it by being a good Mom and actually LOOKING at her when she said it. I knelt down...I noticed that her nose was running...( so maybe she did sneeze? and I hadn't heard it?)......then it dawned on me...

"Emily, do you mean you need a tissue?"

"Yes, Mom, I need a "bless you."

So. Precious.