My tween-aged daughters appreciated this outside, objective source of advice for determining the modesty of an outfit from The Secret Keeper website: "Truth or Bare," a set of modesty "tests." Obviously, a reader's personal standards might be much more or much less conservative than this, but it's a starting point to discuss modesty standards, and why they matter. … [Read more...]
Where to Hang Washcloths?
Two clear, plastic suction hooks are functional and discreet.Suction stuff usually doesn't work very well for me--bigger items like shelves or soap holders have been known to un-stick from the shower walls and flop down in the middle of the night--SLAM! CLATTER-clatter-clatter!Scares the liver out of me.But these simple, basic hooks have fallen off only a couple of times … [Read more...]
Quiet? Time?
What do you do to enrich your times alone with the Lord?Are they quiet? Do you have enough time? Are you structured? Spontaneous? Do you follow a book that leads you through Bible study with guided questions? Do you meet with someone periodically for accountability?I'm asking because I'm collecting ideas for Quiet Times and Bible study.So far, here are some things I've … [Read more...]
Love Those Lentils
Years ago, my sister-in-law told me about a cookbook called More-with-Less Cookbook (suggestions by Mennonites on how to eat better and consume less of the world's limited food resources) by Doris Janzen Longacre The copyright dates back to 1976 and has been renewed, renewed and renewed. Mine leads up to the 43rd printing in 1996. "There is a way of wasting less, … [Read more...]
10 Simple Ways to Class Up One’s Act (a notch)
You may have concluded at some point that I'm not exactly a style guru. If so, you are correct. Just ask the friend who does my hair—she's thrilled if I agree to something other than a blunt trim straight across. I often forget to wear makeup, even though my face would certainly benefit from daily attention and improvements. And then of … [Read more...]
Psalter/Proverb Devotional Reading Plan
Many years ago I saw an article explaining how Billy Graham read through both the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs each month. He read one chapter in Proverbs per day—Proverbs 1 on the 1st day of the month and so on through the 31st. I guess he'd read several on the 28th of February to make it to the end (certainly wouldn't want to neglect … [Read more...]
Group Books by Color
When my friend A. was helping me with some decorating ideas (I'm hopeless on my own), she recommended that I group the books on my family room shelves somehow. "Group them? Like, with the Dewey Decimal System?" I asked. I wasn't opposed. As a matter of fact, it would have made locating books much easier. "No, not like that. I'm thinking like a decorator here. You … [Read more...]
Creative Methods for Capturing Family Stories
At my brother’s urging, I signed up with StoryCorps to interview my mom back in 2007. My brother interviewed Dad. The idea of StoryCorps is to collect the stories of everyday people and save them for posterity. Here’s how they explained their vision: StoryCorps is modeled—in spirit and in scope—after the Works Progress Administration (WPA) of … [Read more...]
Thick and Chewy, Fast and Easy Pizza Dough
(Disclaimer: Experienced breadmakers must simply move on. They will find it too painful to read how I mess around with the nuances of bread-making.) Once a week, the kids ask for pizza. To save money and time (and eat a little healthier), I make my own crust. I got the original recipe and instructions from one of the Tightwad Gazette books … [Read more...]
What are Your Five Fat Files?
Janel Messenger published a post entitled "The Anti-Boredom Life," in which she talked about modeling a life of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, turning off the TV and assigning chores. After reading her post, I was ready to take the kids on a breezy bike ride, run in the woods or veg out in a hammock watching clouds. She also included some practical suggestions for … [Read more...]
Castile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face)
One, simple idea. One bottle. One product to suggest: Castile soap, a product is made with vegetables and herbal oils. The one I use (Updated 2012: I originally used Trader Joe's Pure Peppermint Castile Soap in liquid form, but several years ago switched to Dr. Bronner's, which I love except for all the strange messaging printed on the bottle) adds a touch of Aloe Vera … [Read more...]
Crepes? Mais, Oui!
Every other week or so I make crepes. My family goes nuts. You'd think I told them we were going to shovel sugar straight from the sugar bowl into our mouths. Of course, that's not too far off reality. Crepes (once filled) are sweet. Crepes are also fattening. Crepes are delicious. In fact, when I'm feeling unappreciated, I simply pull out the eggs and announce a … [Read more...]
Let It Snow; Let Us Slow
[IMPORTANT UPDATE: For step-by-step instructions with photos on how to fix overnight crockpot oatmeal using the double-boiler/bain-marie method, please click to the how-to post I created exclusively about that (if you read this post, and you're welcome to, you will first read a long story--a pleasant one that you might enjoy--before arriving at the crockpot … [Read more...]
Family LoveFest
In grade school, Valentine's Day was pretty neat: mailboxes made out of milk cartons and cereal boxes decorated with tissue paper and heart-shaped doilies, overflowing with ready-made and homemade Valentines; boxes of candy hearts; school parties with cupcakes and juice. Everybody shared in the fun. No one was left out. We had to make a Valentine for everybody in … [Read more...]
The Joy of Lifelong Learning…For Free!
My friend S. (she's a little shy, so I'll just use her first initial) and I talk a lot about our love of learning. We dream of taking classes, working toward a master's degree or something (see Autodidact Ann, where someone struggles with these desires). "How would I ever choose just one thing?" S. has moaned several times. "I'm interested in so many things!" Me, … [Read more...]
