Recipe for Contentment

I will start right off by saying that this list is not original to me.  It was taken from a book by Linda Dillow called Calm My Anxious Heart.  (Another GREAT read.  Hmmm, with all the posts on reading lately can you tell someone got a Kindle for Mother's Day?)  This "Recipe for Contentment" was found in the Bible of a missionary woman.  I have it posted by my bed-somedays it should probalby be posted on my forehead.

Recipe for Contentment

·         Never allow yourself to complain about anything-not even the weather.

·         Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.

·         Never compare your lot with another’s.

·         Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.

·         Never dwell on tomorrow-remember that tomorrow is God’s, not ours.

This post is linked up at Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Tammy's Recipes, Elsa Cooks, The Norishing Gormet,

Reading to the Big Kids: Continuing the Gift of Literature

I loved being read to as a child.  I can look back and remember many of the book my mom and teachers read to me.  It is no surprise that I now love reading to my kids.  I love when the little ones know a book so well that they can fill in the words.   I love when their picture books have a sing-song cadence to them as they become familiar to us all. 

We often think of reading to children as being necessary for children before they can read, but let’s not forget the benefits of reading to an older child well after they can read themselves.  It feeds their minds and souls .  Reading together further establishes our relationship with them.  (If you aren’t convinced check out these articles on  the benefits from Steady Mom and Montessori For Everyone.)  Reading out loud to children models  a powerful message: Mom believes that reading is a valid form of entertainment, an effective way to communicate ideas and a great way to learn.

Even as I am concentrating on getting my budding readers off to a great start with their own reading I continue to read to them.  In true “Tara fashion” I made a list of books to make sure that I read to my son this year for school.  I would encourage any mother-no matter which educational option your family chooses-to think back to your favorite book from childhood and relive it with your child this summer.

My 4^th grade teacher Mrs. Allbee read us The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and I remember our whole class loving the book.  I wondered if it might be a little too much for my 1^st grader, but reading it together was one of the highlights of the last year.  At one point he interrupted me and exclaimed “Mom!  I think Edmond is talking to the White Witch!”  It was a great moment and a fun experience for us both.  I am so glad that we got to share it

Good books are full of ideas.  They inspire imagination, creativity and spark conversations.  Books can shape values, moral and character.  What parent does not want to take part in that?

Chances are you too remember a childhood favorite, and you will enjoy reading it to your children too.  Take the time this summer and try it., after a meal, before bed, on vacation or just the next time you hear “I am board; can I watch TV?” 

Great Book Ideas:

The Boxcar Children

Charlotte’s Web

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain

Where the Red Fern Grows

The Loin the Witch and the Wardrobe

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Ramona books

The Indian in the Cupboard

The Little House in the Big Woods

This post is linked up at We are that Family, Mamal Diane and Raising Arrows.

Make a Move Monday:Contagious Decluttering

With the excitement of the Jenuinely Pure giveaway last week I forgot all about Make A Move Monday.  (My apologies if you were hoping to link up!) 

I was supposed to share about my progress simplifying my kitchen.  We have been in the process of eating down our pantry, using up some of what we have before getting more.  I bought a little produce this week, but otherwise we stuck with what we had.  My husband has been amazed.  "It looks like we have no food but you keep feeding us!"  As long as he isn't hungry he has no complaints.  This has been a real budget saver for the month of July for us.  It is the last week of the month, and I am going to take advantage of a chicken sale and still make my budget goal!

The major kitchen change (ok major may be an exaggeration) was the decluttering of the top of the fridge.  This was actually all my husband's doing.  (I guess decluttering is contagious!)  We kept our sound system on top of the fridge (away from little hands) so we ended up with a pile of CDs on top of the fridge.  We also kept the camera up there because with everything else, why not?  It was a flat surface and becoming quite the catch-all.  With some of the extra space from decluttering we put all the electronics, cords and paraphernalia in the pantry!  It looks so nice now!

It is time to share what you have been working on over the past couple of weeks! I am looking forward to this! Please let us know what simple move you are making toward healthy living in your home. Link up your blog post, or just leave a comment. Then take time to be inspired from other's link ups and comments.
Please read through the rules for those participating, and thanks for your participation.

1) No linking to giveaways or promotions for affiliates or sponsors. Give aways and promos are great, but they expire. I will delete giveaway links or promotional links.
2) Keep things simple and healthy. Avoid recipes with "cream of x soup," processed cheese or corn syrup. Crafts are cool, but unless they help organize or simplify please don't link them.
3) Link back to SimplyMadeHome.This is common blog party courtesy. It also helps build the community of encouragement. Check out other’s posts and leave a comment! It is fun to hear from others.
How to link up to your post? Read below.
Using the Mr. Linky, link back to your specific post, not just your blog.
Example of Format
Your Name: Tara @ SimplyMadeHome (Simple Vinegar Switches)
Your Link: http://simplymadehome.blogspot.com/2012/03/simple-vinegar-switches.html

For the Love of All things Green & Growing

Our garden gets a lot of neighborly attention because it is located on the corner of our lot near the sidewalk. One neighbor stopped me the other night and said, "Enjoy this year. There is nothing like your first garden!" I thought "That is really funny because that is what people told me about my first pregnancy!" 

Then I really laughed as I realized that is exactly how I am acting, like an expectant mother!  I go out to check on my garden a couple of times a day as if something should change since my last peak. I not so patiently await the arrival of the "due date" of my new fruit and get way to excited about each blossom and bud. 

We are still harvesting lettuce and now go out for daily sugar snap peas.  We have little peppers, green tomatoes and a few strawberries that we are anxiously awaiting to turn red.  The green beans keep sending out vines that are twisting up everywhere.  I am trying to train them to grow on the twine that I have strung over their heads!

 
I took out my camera the other night to capture a few shots when two teenage girls rode their bikes past.  One of them mockingly said "Look at me!  I am taking pictures of my plants!"  Let 'em laugh!  I am having a blast with my garden! 

Oh!  In other news we have been watching a pair of wrens "play tag" all spring.  They have such a pretty song that we were thrilled to see that they made a nest in the bird house my son made.  We walk by now to hear the hungry chirping of little baby birds.  It is so dark in their little house that I knew I couldn't get a great picture, but they are SO tiny!  It is precious!

This post is linked up at http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/ and http://www.raisingarrows.net/ and http://frugallysustainable.com/

The Jenuienly Pure Winner is...

And the winner of the Jenuinely Pure $20 gift certificate winner is...AM!  Congratulations! 

Don't for get that Jenuinely Pure is offer Simply Made Home readers at 15% discount when ordering with the code SMH15.  This is a great way to try their awesome products.

Thanks to everyone who entered.  Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Chocolate Dipped Banana Pops

This is a simple little summer dessert that is good for the diary-free, gluten-free and white sugar-free among us.  I made these for my two little allergy babes this afternoon!  They loved them. 

1.       Cut 3 or 4 bananas into 2”-3” chunks, and freeze.

2.       Puree frozen bananas and fill popsicle molds with puree.

3.       Freeze until sticks hold.

4.       Dip in warm chocolate sauce before serving.

Chocolate sauce: Mix the following ingredients in order

·         2 TBS of coconut oil (melted)

·         ¼ cup cocoa powder

·         3 TBS honey

·         1 TBS water

This post is linked up at:

Penny Pinching Party @ http://www.thethriftyhome.com/

Frugal Days Sustainable Ways @ http://frugallysustainable.com/

Pennywise Platter Thursdays @ http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/

Full Plate Thursdays @ http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fight Back Friday @ http://www.foodrenegade.com/

Reinventing the Water Pitcher (And sitting down to supper!)

Every night we try to sit down together for supper.  In actuality everyone else sits down to supper while I jump up and down off my chair playing waitress.  I wish I could say that I graciously serve my family with a humble heart.  Honestly, my patience is low and I am very tired at the end of the day.  I am in no mood to get up and down what feels like a million times.

Here is what a typical meal looks like:  We work together to set the table until I tell everyone to sit because I am moving through the kitchen with a hot pan.  Everyone sits down, and I start putting food on the table when someone finishes the first round of beverages and asks for more water.  Before I sit I get the refill from the fridge door, sit down to fill plates, stand to get water for someone else, sit to cut up food and then stand again to get one more water.  I sit down and make a snarky comment about never getting to eat hot food, daring my dinner companions to ask for one.more.thing. 

Sound familiar to any other mother?  This way was actually better than letting them get the refills themselves.  That was very wet chaos.  Sometimes when you are in the mess you can’t see the simple answer.  Thankfully my husband saw the solution: Instead of using the water from our fridge door (which seems convenient) we  went old school and put the water pitcher on the table.  It isn't rocket science, but I sat through the whole meal tonight.  It is the little things!

NOTE: If you have not yet signed up for the Jenuinely Pure giveaway make sure that you do before Friday morning!

This post is linked up at

Kitchen Tip Tuesdays @ http://www.tammysrecipes.com/

Hearth and Soul @ http://www.pennilessparenting.com/

Health 2Day Wednesdays @ http://quickeasycheaphealthy.com/

Works for Me Wednesday @ http://wearethatfamily.com