A Mother's Apron

I am back

2011-11-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

Hello dear friends, yes I am back. I really enjoyed reading over my last post. Wow that seems like years ago.

We are now at our little farm. All moved in. And preparing for winter.

We have added 4 kitties to our family.

They are Callie, Sophie, Mistie and Bandie. And they are farm cats!

I hope to update the blog more often with the blessing of farm life.

Blessings, Tracylea

Lainey

2011-07-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

Hello sweet friends. This is the newest member of our family, Lainey. She is a joy, and minus the kitty chasing, fun to have around.

Other than filling out paper work and having homes inspected we are still waiting to move. We went to the farm yesterday to see if it was cooler, it was not.

High yesterday 98, high today 99 equals dogs in the garage all day. I really want to go to Target, but it is too hot. What a baby. I had a friend post that we should remember the wonderful folks in the military. I will stop whining now and be humbled.

I look forward to being at the farm all the time. My current home is a mess and I hate it. I like order, well my version of order. Possibly 25 days until the move. Hmmmm, better get packing!

Blessings, Tracylea

Lots going on

2011-07-13T06:23:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends. We have a lot going on around the homestead this week and month! I am sorry I have been AWOL~!

As a few of you know we put our home on the market and sold it in the same week. We then bid on a house in the "country" with 4 acres and got it. So we have been in the hurry up and wait process of buying a house. (Sisters, when I say we, I mean The Lord leading the family)

The change of scenery for my family will also be signaling a change here at A Mother's Apron. I am going to try to follow our ups and well ups of moving from the suburbs to the country. I currently have 1/3 of my yard in gardens, 1/3 in animals and 1/3 in home and buildings. This is easy when you only have 1/3 of an acre. When we move I will have 4 acres and I have big plans. Yes, a 1 acre garden of flowers, berries and vegetables, 1 acre of animals and 1 acre of homestead! We will see!

Please plan on joining me!

Oh, and I will be updating here more often. I have left facebook, future blog post, and will be keeping in touch here. Also the format will change some, but I will still be posting on all topics.

Blessings, Tracylea

Perspective

2011-06-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hello sweet ladies and good Monday morning. I am starting a new series for Monday mornings called "Perspective". This will be an attempt, by me, to settle some things from my different perspective. Or, to try to convict some of the error in their ways, lol, without punching them in the face.

Time magazine has 25 million subscribers

Ladies, would you like Time magazine put a picture of your daughter on the cover? In her bathing suit? How about your son without his shirt? Or in the bathtub?

Facebook has 250 million subscribers

Let me say that again, 250 million men, women and perverts.

Get the idea?

Think over the pictures you post to your facebook account. Look through your child's facebook pictures. Eliminate anything you wouldn't want 250 million people to see. Do not become complacent with your child's innocence. Do not sell your child's virtue for a "awww isn't she cute in her skin tight bikini" moment.

Blessings, Tracylea

(this is a small part of the "radical" I took the poll about, lol)

Blogs I visit daily: Blessed Homemaking

2011-05-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hello friends. How are you? We are busy here in the Slinkard household. Weddings, graduations and possibilities!

I have been wanting to direct you to a friends blog, Blessed Homemaking, for some time! It truly is one of the prettiest around, her writing is God centered and Mrs. Q is an inspiration to me! Here is some info about her and her blog:

~Hello! Thank you for stopping by to visit me here on Blessed Homemaking. The purpose of this blog is to encourage you in the role of being a keeper at home. I hope you will stay awhile and take a little rest here with me. Enjoy your visit and please drop me a line to let me know you were here.~

I am a homemaker, wife, & homeschooling mom of 6 wonderful children here on earth and two in Heaven with Jesus. We have 5 girls and 1 boy. They are a source of great joy for me. I am by no means an expert on homemaking, but I love the title "Keeper at Home" that God has given me and would love to share my adventures and learning experiences I have with you along the way on this most sacred journey.

I love to draw and paint when I have time, as well as make other things by hand. You may find some of my artwork at my art blog Art for the King. I also have an Etsy shop and a few things for sale on Zazzle.

If you need to contact me, you may email me at blessedhomemaking@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share with me and for stopping by to say hello. I do love my readers' comments. May God bless you.

Mrs. Q

Thank God, O women for the quietude of your home, and that you are queen in it. Men come at eventide to the home; but all day long you are there, beautifying it, sanctifying it, adorning it, blessing it.

Better be there than wear a queen's coronet. Better be there than carry the purse of a princess. It may be a very humble home. There may be no carpet on the floor. There may be no pictures on the wall. There may be no silks in the wardrobe; but, by your faith in God, and your cheerful demeanor, you may garniture that place with more splendor than the upholsterer's hand ever kindled.

~ T. DeWitt Talmage

Christian motherhood means dedicating your entire life in service of others. It means standing beside your husband, following him, and investing in the lives of children whom you hope will both survive you and surpass you. It means forgoing present satisfaction for eternal rewards. It means investing in the lives of others who may never fully appreciate your sacrifice or comprehend the depth of your love. And it means doing all these things, not because you will receive the praise of man — for you will not — but because God made you to be a woman and a mother, and there is great contentment in that biblical calling.
~Doug Phillips

I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him.

~Lydia Sherman

Please visit her here and let her know I sent you!

Blessings, Tracylea

Favorite Blogs

2011-05-26T19:10:00.001-07:00

Hello sweet friends. Hope this day is sunny where you are. It is cloudy and rainy here, but to have a garden and flowers we must have rain, right???

I wanted to remind you that I have a passion for blogs. And because of this I like to keep a long list of my favorite blogs, they are listed here to the left. Please feel free to click on any. And because I love you and blogs both, please add your favorite to comments and I will try to highlight a few in the next weeks.

Blessings, Tracylea

His Servant

2011-05-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

I want to be the type of Christin that not only speaks my beliefs, but lives them out fully as well. I have a passion for Christ and living like Him. I believe that my spirituality requires a soldier's discipline and not just a bunch of fish stickers in my car windows. I hope by meeting me, talking to me and reading my work that you see how wonderful being a servant of the Most High God is.

This is what I want to be.......................I am not quite there yet.

What do you want to be for Him? And how can you get there?

Blessings, Tracylea

Blog going radical ????

2011-05-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Hello sweet friends and how are you today? I am doing well. Right now we are overwhelmed with the way the Lord is working in our lives. YAHOO~! But maybe more on that later, :).

I am going to be posting a survey for you ladies to fill out. It pertains to the content here at A Mother's Apron. I have been holding some, well alot, of blogs back from posting because I am concerned they they would be considered "radical" and offend. By offend I hope I mean convict. The bible is clear in spelling out our roles as wives, mothers and keepers of our homes. I have felt the Lord leading me to post these blogs and let the comments fly, lol. But I would love to know what you think. Are you open to taking a look at your role, in the Lords eyes? Or should I just keep AMA as is and not stir your hearts? I would appreciate any comments.

Blessings sweet ones, Tracylea

Increasing

2011-05-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

2 Peter 1:5-8 (English Standard Version)
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings, Tracylea

Favorite Blogs

2011-05-10T05:55:00.001-07:00

Here is one of my all time favorite blogs: Two Maids A Milking

I was thinking that today would be a good day to do some baking! And tada the Maids have a recipe just for me! Enjoy!

http://twomaidsamilking.blogspot.com/2011/05/yeast-rolls-two-maids-baking.html

And if you are lucky enough to call Indiana your home please consider visiting the maids at Kelsay Farms this fall!

Blessings, Tracylea

2011-05-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

"This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience - it looks for a way of being constructive.
Love is not possessive.
Love is not anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own ideas.
Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage.
Love is not touchy.
Love does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails.
Love knows no limits to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that stands when all else has fallen."
— Elisabeth Elliot (Let Me Be a Woman)

Donations

2011-05-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Please consider donating. Even 5 dollars to each family can make a huge difference!

http://www.bradrick.org/helpalfamilies/

Blessings, Tracylea

Storms

2011-04-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

Hello sweet friends. I am coming to you with a heavy heart. So many lives lost and so much damage done by the weather this week. Kelly Crawford of Generation Cedar has lost her home and many of her friends and neighbors worse. Please read the following and pray!

http://awisewomanbuildsherhome.com/

http://www.visionforum.com/news/blogs/doug/2011/04/9417/

I pray that you are all well. If you have been touched by this horrible weather, please, please leave a comment for me and I will pray for you.

Blessings, Tracylea

Stay At Home Daughter

2011-04-25T10:07:00.001-07:00

I have often said that I wish I had a daughter. I love the Lord and his blessings of a son, but to be able to pass on the "homekeeping" skills to a daughter would be nice. But our wonderful Lord has other things in mind for me, :)~! And I love me my boys!

I do spend a good deal of time thinking about my future daughter in law, praying actually. I pray the Lord blesses my son with a bride who wants to please her Lord, first. I also pray that I am an example to this d-i-l and not a hindrance, lol.

Here is a wonderful example of a, God pleasing, stay at home daughters day! Enjoy!

http://raisinghomemakers.com/2011/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-stay-at-home-daughter/

And after you are done here go here and here to see the wonderful works of Breezy Brookshire and her sweet sister Emily Rose Brookshire.

Blessings, Tracylea

Face-Lift

2011-04-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Have a wonderful Easter!!

Hello friends, A Mother's Apron is getting a face-lift! We are also going to facebook so more ladies can join us. Please like A Mother's Apron on facebook.

Blessing and Happy Easter, Tracylea

Lemons, Lemons

2011-04-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

(Just a note: I am noticing a problem with my blog background. Hopefully it will work itself out. I am sorry.)

Hello sweet friends. Today I just wanted to drop in and give you a link to some wonderful lemon recipes. Here at our home we are planning for Easter dinner and these cupcakes will be on the menu for sure, have a great day!

http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/lemon-curd-cupcakes-with-lemon-cream-cheese-frosting/

Enjoy~!

Blessings, Tracylea

Stewards of His property

2011-04-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

"Mankind is still a steward over the ground just like the first man, Adam. Due to sin, however, mankind has the added task of using our bodies as instruments of righteousness. Responsibly, tending the earth and conscientiously feeding our appetites are two ways to serve God as stewards of His property. As God cares well for the earth, His people should do likewise." Health for Godly Generations by Renee DeGroot

Deep Roots At Home Blog

2011-04-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hello sweet friends, I pray this day is finding you all well. I have another wonderful blog to introduce : Deep Roots at Home .

Here is a little about it:

My name is Jacqueline.

Thanks for coming over – I desire to serve you and your family with information that I have gleaned over many years in the area of healthy living and preventative medicinals , going green, organic gardening, and creative home-making. There is still much more to discover, but I hope it is a help to you as we are living in an increasingly complex and confusing world. I look forward to the journey with you!

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am only able to grow at all because He feeds me like rich, fertile soil feeds and supports the vitality of a growing plant. I feel His embrace and the warm sunshine of His grace.

For many years now, I have been first a wife, but also a teacher of our children in the home. Now a new season is coming, and with the blessing of my husband, I know it is time to discover His continuing purpose for my life. What better way than to share some of the interesting things I have learned along the way. What I share will be varied and practical…focused on being a good steward of the earth, our time, and finances…but I also love to do things that bring beauty and order to our hectic lives and reflect God’s creativity. I will capture as much as I can through photography so you can ‘see’ it as if right here.

Home is where I love to be. We all desire our homes to be safe and clean, full of nurture and beauty (not the impersonal decorator magazine kind), and savory aromas from the kitchen. There is no greater place to incubate souls!

I am as uncomfortable as a size 9 foot in a size 8 shoe…there are so many interesting ideas I want to share; I have no idea where to start. I just think I will let the seasons be much of my guide. Spring and summer-planting, berries, flowers, fresh food. Fall and winter- dehydrating, cooking, decorating, storing. All year round-music and nature! “God ordained the moon to rule the seasons.” Psalm 104:19

The habits of the home in one generation become the morals of society in the next. As William Ross Wallace said: “The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.”

10 May, 1996 Washington Times

Please visit this wonderful blog and let Mrs. Line know how wonderful it is!

Blessings, Tracylea

Spring Cleaning Your Home and Heart

2011-04-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

Four wonderful links to give you the jump-start you might need to start you spring cleaning, in your home and heart:

31 Days to Clean – Having a Martha House the Mary Way (Plus BIG Bundle Giveaway!))
http://raisinghomemakers.com/2011/31-days-to-clean-having-a-martha-house-the-mary-way-plus-big-bundle-giveaway/

Homemakers Challenge
http://joyfulmothering.net/homemakers-challenge/

7 Gifts Gratitude Booklet {printable} & 10 helps for Moms
http://www.aholyexperience.com/7-gifts-free-printable-10-helps-for-moms/

Balancing Everything in Your Busy Life

(on the first three article please click on the link below the title, thank you)

with blessings, Tracylea

Sale!!!! At Vision Forum

2011-03-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

Vision Forum is having an amazing sale.

Large Family Logistics for $10.80 and Joyfully At Home for $3.60. (Joyfully At Home is only on sale today, 3/28 for that price)

Click here to see what else is on sale, over 400 + items.

I just love a sale!

Blessings, Tracylea

Let Him Lead

2011-03-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

Hello sweet girlfriends. I pray this wonderful spring day is productive and God pleasing for you. This morning I was reading some of my favorite blogs and came across this one at Women Living Well. Mmm, mmm, that Courtney is right on.~!

Give your husband room and time to mature. Pray for his leadership rather than criticize it. Take note when he does do something right. Your husband is in a place of inescapable leadership. That is a tremendous burden to carry. Lighten his load, step back and let your husband lead.~ Women Living Well Blog

Do you have a mental checklist? I sure did. My husband is reserved and quiet by nature and I am loud and demanding, lol. We are complete opposites, as the Lord knew, and therefore our styles of living life are different.

Over the years I have learned, often the hard way, to respect my husbands leadership by using my personality to lighten his load not to cause him burdens. This did not come easy and I don't always do it right. But through much trail and many errors I have learned the the role of leadership in our home is not one I want, nor am equipped, to have. And I praise our Lord for that.

The Lord created us to be different. Your husband was created to be the leader in your home, you were created to be his helpmeet. Do you have a mental list? If you do, pray about it, seek God's word, learn your role and throw the list out. Sit down with you husband and see how you can help him most today. Pray for him, pray for yourself. Praise God for making your husband who he is.

Ladies, let you husband lead, that is what he was created to do.

Blessings, Tracylea

Easy Peasy Table Decorations for Spring

2011-03-22T06:30:00.001-07:00

This one you will always see at my home. It is one of my favorites. This is a ball jar kerosene light with a place-mat helper. The light gives a soft warm glow to the room on a cloudy day or in the evening. It makes your room feel so homey!

Easy ideas for spring decorations for your table! This one is a scarf and a canister. Each purchased for a quarter at a rummage sale.

Just a sweet table runner from Target, on clearance for Christmas, and a mason jar with wooden spoons. Less than $3.00 for all three.

A $5.00 flower will brighten any table. This is a bargain tablecloth, a place-mat and a hyacinth. Total for this is $10.00, a bit high for me.

This is a tablecloth and two cake stands topped on each other with the flower just sitting pretty on top. These cake stands are antiques found at antique stores. I have done this for parties and put cupcakes on the plates or even a cake. Food can really make a pretty table decoration!

Just a basic flower and place-mat. This can be done with a nice napkin or piece of cloth.

The easiest one of all. This just makes my kitchen look cherry all by itself, doesn't it look clean too? Wonder what is going on behind the camera, lol? I always open my back blinds but for the pictures had to shut them to help with the picture quality.

I hope you enjoyed a look into my home.

Blessings, Tracylea

Circling The Wagons

2011-03-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

circle the wagons :

To take a defensive position; become defensive.

We are circling the wagons at our place this week. What does that involve you ask? Well it sure doesn't meant to be defensive as the above definition shows. But it does mean to defend. Last night DH and I talked about bringing the family in, circling the wagons as such. For the last 6 or so months it seems we are going in 100 different directions, some of them good most of them not so good. We have become busy, short sighted and we are all lacking drive. Our service to the Lord is slowing and we are getting luke warm, and we all know that aint good! Actually I am getting down right discouraged and that just isn't normal for me.

So then what is this circling the wagons all about, you ask? Well we are going to start today with some home cleaning and organizing. I already have a large bag ready for the thrift store. We are going to eat every meal this week at home, make from scratch and made by mom. No more eating out every day, sometimes twice a day. We aren't going to go, just to go, this week, we are staying home. We are going to sit as a family each night and study His word, we will discuss it until we are done, not until something comes up. We are going to spend time as a family and enjoy this wonderful world the Lord has provided. Home is going to be our center, and we are staying there.

The world can come in to our lives in many ways: tv, computer, reading, friends, family, church, work, clubs. This week we are going to take a step back and stop the world from leaking in. We are going to defend our camp, we are going to take a defensive position for our home.

What about you sweet friend, is it time to circle the wagons at your place? Take a look around: are people arguing, is your home out of sorts, are you and dh simply passing in the night, was dinner last night, and the night before and so on fast food? Is your bible getting dusty? Hmmm, might be time.

Blessings, Tracylea

Bible reading for 3/19/11

2011-03-19T05:18:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 5:20-21 (King James Version)

²⁰Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

²¹Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Helping or hurting?

2011-03-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

John 5:19 (King James Version)

¹⁹Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

My spiritual gift is the gift of encouragement. I am drawn to encourage, lift-up and praise. I cannot help myself. One of the side effects of this gift is the need to help; solve problems, loan money and give time I don't have. Lately I have been reading alot about "helping" others. And I have learned that I need to determine, with prayer, weather I am really helping or getting in God's way. Am I assuming I am the only "one" who can help when I know God is truly the only one to help. He may and can use me, but He is the giver of all help. I must seek His will.

In most situations before I would go ahead and give, and give. But lately I have stepped back and prayed and prayed. Seeking Gods will in these things. And you know what, it is working. I no longer go stumbling in where God is disciplining or helping a person grow. I feel good and encouraged about my helping. All this by simply seeking the Lords will. Easy!

Blessings, Tracylea

Facebook break update~~~!

2011-03-09T07:55:00.001-08:00

Hello and good day dear sweet friends. I wanted to stop in and give a quick update on my facebook "break". Things are going great. Many thought I had broken it when my last blog showed up, but my blogs automatically post to facebook. So, still going strong. I did want to add a funny, we also are without cable this week. Not a good idea to loose two media sources in one week. But I am doing grand, and feel like I am getting alot more done. Which means...........facebook may be gone for good. Someone suggested that I may want to block facebook from comments, mean and nasty people everywhere. And I think I am going to, if you have the desire to contact me please do here at A Mother's Apron or on my yahoo group A Mother's Apron or via e-mail.

Blessings sweet friends! Tracylea

Facebook

2011-03-07T10:47:00.001-08:00

Proverbs 25:28

²⁸He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Remember the good old days when you never heard of the word facebook? I used to get it confused with my space and call it myface or spacebook~! Oh the good old days.......... Well this week my dear husband asked me to take a break from Facebook. And it has been hard, really hard. I think I am addicted. But I am doing it (Well not until I caved after 24 hours the first time.) But really it should be ok, right?...Right?....RIGHT????!

We all have our things we really enjoy. Things we just can't live without. But a social media site really should not be one of them. I am embarrassed to admit, even to you dear friends, how often in a day I get on to check things out. I am embarrassed to admit the number of things, INCLUDING COOKIES, that I have burned "playing" on facebook. It is terribly embarrassing to tell you of my total lack of self-control in this area.

Sisters am I preaching to the choir about this? Do you have a little harmless addiction that you could stand to take a break from? Then I want to encourage you to do just that. Ask this one question, "Am I honoring God with my time?"

I think dear husband has it right. This week I am going to step back and see how truly addicted to facebook I am. Can I live a healthy, God honoring life without it. We will see. I imagine I can, but at this point I am that fool in Proverbs 25:28 and have no rule over my own spirit and my city is getting broken down or in our case my cookies are getting burned.

Blessings, Tracylea

(Update: for those of you who see my post via facebook, no I haven't already broken down, this automatically post there!)

Shocking or not

2011-03-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Hello sweet ladies. I pray your day is going right. We are doing our house keeping today, so I thought I would take a little break and stop by.

I don't know how many of you were able to catch the morning news show that "highlighted" a guest who decided to leave her family and walk away from being a mom. I did and I was shocked, not so much by her selfishness, but by the justification and support she is receiving. Have we really come to this in our society? A mother abandoning her God given responsibilities to pursue her own selfish goals, applauded and supported on national television?

You can see the interview at Your Sacred Calling . Mrs. McDonald sums up my thoughts on this situation with more elegance than I can muster at this time.

Ladies, you are given a Biblical mandate in Titus 2:5. A life "description". Varying from this mandate will only cause you shame and unhappiness. Use this lady as an example to remove the plank from our own eye. Do not let society determine your value, let the Lord.

Blessings, Tracylea

Enough Said

2011-02-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

James 4:4 (King James Version)

⁴Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Starting your day right with the minimum

2011-02-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

Starting your day with the minimum~!

Just to make things clear sweet sisters, I know the only way to start your day right is to start it with the Lord. So do that, everyday, without a reminder from your sister Tracylea. But today's topic is doing the minimum, just for today, to start your day right. There are three minimum things you need to do each day.

1.) Make your bed the moment you wake up. YES. All the way. Clear everything off and make it neatly. Your bedroom may be a mess, but make the bed. When the littles, or bigs in my case, wake up, have them make their beds too. Nice huh? Next:

2.) Go through your house and open all the curtains and blinds, even in the rooms where there are sleepers. If you live in a warm climate open at least one window. Let the sunshine in, or the clouds for that matter. Next:

3.) Go to your kitchen. Take everything off the kitchen table. EVERYTHING. Put it away, throw it away or find it a home. Next....are you ready.....put on a tablecloth. Yes, I mean it. I know it will get spilled on, it will get messy, do it anyway, just please trust me on this one. If you don't have a tablecloth use a pretty towel, sheet or piece of material, anything that may brighten the room. Look for tablecloths on sale or at the thrift store. At the end of your day, take the table cover off and put in the wash and find one for the next day. I have 10, crazy!!!, but have bought them over the years at less than $5.00 each (on a personal preference note here, I like all cotton ones, not the flannel backed kind, but that is up to you).

Ok, so take a look around. Looks better huh. At least a little~! Try doing this "minimum" for the next week, everyday. Let me know how it worked out. I will pray that this brings about a "minimum" amount of change in your keeping of your home. Ask your husband or children what they think. I imagine it will make a surprising difference.

And sweet friends, back to my original thought. Sisters if you are not meeting with the Lord first thing in the morning, all this will be for nothing. Take a few minutes and seek His will for your day. You won't regret it!@!

Blessings, Tracylea

Today I am linking up with {TITUS 2}SDAYS over at Time-Warp Wife

Laundry Day

2011-02-21T10:39:00.001-08:00

Ladies, Monday is laundry day at our house. Is it at yours? Don't be lazy on laundry day, get it all done. Today take the time to read your labels on your softener and detergent. Don't use too much of either, this can be wasteful and bad for your clothing. If you need to start your day earlier, then get up, eat a good breakfast and start. Get the whole gang involved. Let's wash, fold and put away everything by the time our dh gets home. Now get busy.

Proverbs 31:27
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

For more wonderful advice please read Large Family Logistics: The Art and Science of Managing the Large Family (really any family) by Kim Brenneman

Blessings, Tracylea

Boasting

2011-02-03T08:19:00.001-08:00

Today I heard a most interesting thing. An acquaintance of mine was boasting about something they are doing. Where is concerns me is that the something they were boasting about has caused them to be sinful. I think so, but do they? No, this person isn't one to take sin lightly. But wrapped in the gold bowed package of modern living what they were boasting about is often admired, yet it is sinful. Sisters sin is sin, even in a beautifully wrapped package. So don't boast about it. There is only one thing that the bible says we are to boast on:

Romans 15:17
Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.

But there are many admonishments against boasting:

Jeremiah 23:32
"Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams," declares the LORD, "and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit," declares the LORD.

1 Corinthians 5:6
Your boasting is not good Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?

And our wonderful bible is pretty clear on what to do with sin:

Romans 7:13
But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God's good commands for its own evil purposes.

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Oh dear sisters, we must always watch our words. For the evil one is only looking for a small crack to come in.

Blessings, Tracylea

Crown Him

2011-01-27T09:54:00.001-08:00

Crown Him With Many Crowns Hymn

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, Whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heaven, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to Whom is given the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Paratus Familia

2010-12-13T16:55:00.000-08:00

Hello dear friends. Please do not think I have abandoned this blog. I have just let it rest a while, :)~!

Here is a wonderful blog I have discovered and been reading for the last few days.

I have added this to my daily favorites and suggest you do too!

Paratus Familia

Here is a little about the owner: Enola Gay

I am a christian, conservative, survival minded, homeschooling,off-grid, independent, home-birthing, Proverbs 31, Titus 2 minded 40 year old woman. I live with my husband and five children in our solar/generator powered shop on 30 acres. We are homestead types who try to do as much as we can ourselves, but understand the importance of community.

Enjoy!!@

Blessings dear friends!

Wonderful Blog To Visit

2010-10-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

Yes They're All Ours

A little about this wonderful blog:

I am the very busy mom of ten children -- 4 girls, and 6 boys! The oldest is 25 and the youngest is 6. I've been homeschooling since 1990 and happily married since 1983! I've always enjoyed writing, and this blog provides the vehicle for me to share about my daily life with a large family. I also share my thoughts and reflections about whatever happens to be on my heart or about whatever the Lord is currently trying to teach me. I hope that you will be encouraged and blessed each time you stop by.

http://yes-theyre-all-ours.blogspot.com/

Please go and visit!

Blessings, Tracylea

Favorite Blog: Your Sacred Calling

2010-08-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends. My blog has sat unchanged for a few weeks. As many of you know I have started to homeschool my 11 year old ds, and my days have been really busy. I am sorry!

Back to A Mother's Apron and my favorite blogs.

I wanted to direct you to another favorite blog of mine Your Sacred Calling.

Here is a little about the wonderful owner Stacy McDonald:

I am a pastor’s wife, mother, grandma, conference speaker, co-author of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God, and author of Raising Maidens of Virtue. While traveling with my family, I have had the privilege of encouraging women all over the globe on issues pertaining to marriage, homemaking, chastity, and biblical beauty.

I became a Christian in my early twenties, after a lifetime of depression, wandering, and rebellion. I didn’t “find” Jesus; He found me, kicking and screaming. I am here only because of God’s Grace, period. I am so undeserving; yet, by His own sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus overwhelmed me with His mercy and made me His. I truly am forever in His debt.

My husband, Pastor James McDonald of Providence Church, and I, together with our children, moved from Southeast Texas to the cornfields of the Midwest. I am a native Texan. I love spicy food and Blue Bell ice cream; in that order. I can’t stand fire ants, sauna-style heat, tree roaches, and traffic.

Since moving to the Midwest, I have enjoyed the four seasons, cooler summers, and wonderful new friends! Two of our ten children are married; one is engaged; two adult daughters live at home; and the five youngest are still being homeschooled. Yes, I am still in the trenches with you; but, I am willing to share what I’ve learned so far on this exciting walk of faith! Won’t you share with me too?

Stacy's blog is a wonderful place to go and find God honoring information. And on occasion she will list some of her wonderful recipes. Enjoy dear ones!

Blessings, Tracylea

Favorite Blogs: Like A Bubbling Brook

2010-08-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on this blog quite by accident (or not). And just love it. Even the name Like A Bubbling Brook is fun to say!

Here is a little about one of my new favorites:

Welcome to Like a Bubbling Brook!

I’m Jaime, a very blessed thirty-something mama, married for over ten years to the man that I adore, Pierre. He’s a minister who loves God and his family with his whole heart. In the very little spare time he has, he enjoys mountain biking and endurance cycling. A couple of years ago he completed a 100-mile ride!

Did I mention I love this man? He is a dream come true.

We have two boys. Our oldest, Gentry, is five. He loves it when we read together, play silly games, or when he gets to help me in the kitchen. He’s incredibly smart; just yesterday he told me all about the Wright Brothers, and how they owned a bike shop before they started building gliders! He is a sweet boy and loves to talk to anyone who will listen.

Our youngest son is Preston. He is such a happy little man, and so sociable! He has the most amazing smile… it lights up the room. Do you know the kind of smile I’m talking about?

We live a simple life compared to most, I think. We try very hard to be good stewards and glorify God with our health, finances, and time. We have personal convictions about doing our best to live without debt shadowing our lives, so that we may be able to work for God without unnecessary financial pressures, and so that we may be able to do more to bless others. We fulfilled a long-time dream and purchased our current home debt-free in July 2007.

We believe that it is primarily our responsibility to train and disciple our children. We just began homeschooling our oldest son last fall, and it brings me so much joy to witness those “aha!” moments in Gentry’s life as he learns and grows. It is an honor to teach him that God has a plan and purpose for his life, and that everything he learns has its roots in God’s word. Home education is a privilege we are grateful for.

We try to eat wholesomely. Many of the foods you’ll find in our kitchen are all natural, and almost everything we eat at home is made from scratch. Our dinners are healthy and usually cost less than $5 to make if I’ve properly shopped the sales and stocked up when prices were low. I try to share a healthy, "real food" recipe here on LABB at least once a week.

And me? I love to cook, bake, read, tend to my tiny garden, consignment shop, and cozy up with my family. I enjoy a good cup of coffee, as I sit curled up on the couch, Bible in hand, in the early morning hours. As a stay-at-home mama with a graduate degree, I have an insatiable itch to study and research just about any worthy thought out there. I also love the challenge of living well on less.

That’s our little family. I’d love to hear about yours sometime. Let’s keep in touch!

In His Service,

Jaime is so wonderful and her blog is wonderful too. Please go here to enjoy it. Blessings, Tracylea

FYI

2010-07-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

A dear sister wanted to let me know that a site I had linked to did not seem to align with my Christian beliefs. I feel so blessed to have a sister in Christ that cares enough about me to mention this to me. So I have been thinking and praying about how to address this and have come up with the following statement.

A Mother's Apron contains links to many sites, most of whom I agree with, but a few that are not necessarily Christian sites. Some I agree with on some matters, and differ on others. Just because I link to them, or speak about something on their site, it should not be construed as an endorsement of all that is written on the website or their belief statement .

While I certainly will not lead you to a site that is sinful, I do not and can not check everything on each site. And while some sites I link to are members of a religion/no religion that I do not align myself with, the information that is contained on that site has some Christian value to me and I hope you.

Again, I will not ever purposely lead you to a site that is not good for you or me. But I may link to a site, owned by a group that shares a different religion/belief than I do, solely because of an article or information the site contains that may help us in our Christian walk.

And please, in the future, if you feel like something posted here is not a good fit, please let me know like this sweet sister did!

Blessings, Tracylea

2010-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

(My beautiful son at his Baptism (2007), HE REIGNS)

He Reigns~Newsboys

It’s the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir

It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this

And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they’ve just heard
‘Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word

When all God’s children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God’s people singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Godlessness in the Last Days

2010-07-15T08:23:00.001-07:00

2 Timothy 3

Godlessness in the Last Days

¹But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ²People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

⁶They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. ⁸Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Blessings, Tracylea

Communication and time management

2010-07-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends. I pray today is going well for you.

I was reading over at Women Living Well and came across a wonderful article about communication on time management in marriage. Courtney is correct when she says:

A lot of quarrels can be kept at bay if we are willing to ask our husbands their preferences and then be mindful of them.

I want to encourage you to follow her suggestion for week 5 of the Completing Him Challenge:

Week #5 Challenge: Make a list of 5 things you currently do and ask your husband to prioritize them for you of what is important to him. For example - a clean home, home cooked dinner, coupon clipping, service at church, having friends over for dinner, watching/doing sports with him, etc.

Read the full article here.

I am anxious to hear back how this works out. Please drop me a comment and let me know. I will post in the future my dh's responses. Blessings, Tracylea

Godly Direction

2010-07-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

I have two wonderful books that I like to read yearly. Each for their own reasons give me a sense of direction of who I am and Whose I am, they are: Becoming A Woman Who Pleases God and Designing A Lifestyle That Pleases God by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock

Here is an excerpt, on fear, from Pat Ennis' blog Unfading Beauty :

As you multi-task today consider memorizing and meditating upon these truths:
● God is with you and will keep you wherever you go (Genesis 28:15).

● You should not fear or be dismayed for the Lord goes before you; He will not leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8).

● God will provide divine power for the tasks He calls you to accomplish (Joshua 1:5).

● God will be with you throughout the assignment He has commissioned you to undertake (1 Chronicles 28:20).

● When God calls you into a difficult situation, you are to recall that the battle is not yours, but His (2 Chronicles 20:15).

● When you are protected by your Savior’s rod and staff you do not need to fear any potentially threatening environment—even death (Psalm 23:4).

● Because the Lord is your light, salvation, and the strength of your life you have no need to fear (Psalm 27:1).

● When you are afraid you are to trust in God—an act of the will, not the emotions

(Psalm 56:3-4).

● No person can subvert God’s protection of you (Psalm 56:11).

● God has provided an intimate place of divine protection for you (Psalm 91:1-7).

● If you delight in God’s commandments you do not need to fear evil tidings

(Psalm 112:1, 7).

● Fear is removed when you reside in God’s wisdom (Proverbs 3:25-26).

● You need not fear if you are God’s child because He is faithful to sustain you (Isaiah 41:10-13).

● Your sovereign heavenly Father controls even the most mundane events—therefore you can have confidence that He will care for you (Matthew 10:29; Luke 12:6-7).

● The peace that your heavenly Father gives provides comfort in the midst of turmoil (John 14:27).

● If you are a child of God, you do not have need to fear death or final punishment (Romans 8:14-16).

● Spiritual resources, seeking the welfare of others rather than your own, and a properly prioritized mind, not a spirit of fear, is a gift from your heavenly Father (2 Timothy 1:7).

● He who fears has not been made perfect in love (1 John 4:17-18).

The only positive fear recorded in Scripture is the fear of God. This fear is a reverence of God’s majesty, power, and greatness; as you embrace the biblical definition of fear you will most likely find the influence of the fear of man dissipating—thus increasing your ability to multi-task with greater proficiency.

Fear can truly overtake our daily lives, can't it? In this we learn that fear truly should be. But we are encouraged, aren't we sisters, by the Lords words. He teaches us that He is with us during all and we should only fear Him and not man.

To read this entire article by Pat Ennis at Unfading Beauty go here.

Blessings, Tracylea

2010-07-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

Just as God leads me I would go;

I would not ask to choose my way;

Content with what He will bestow,

Assured He will not let me stray.

So as He leads, my path I make,

And step by step I gladly take,

A child in Him confiding.

~Lampertus Gedicke

Skip to my Lou

2010-07-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

This is the blog I visit when I need inspiration and I am never let down!

Here is a little about the creator of these creations!

Welcome to Skip to my Lou!

From hosting a shrimp boil, celebrating holidays, making homemade scratch art paper, sewing gifts and throwing parties to cooking delicious food, you will find it all here at Skip To My Lou. The site is full of free patterns, downloads and I hope plenty of inspiration. Please hang out with me awhile and check it out!

Using my knowledge of arts and crafts (Bachelors Degree in Art Education) along with my practical experience (mother to children ages 17, 13 and 5), I love sharing my ideas so that so that you can make memories with your family and friends. I hope something you find here will help you experience the satisfaction of creating and the joy of celebrating.

Craft, Create, Celebrate… Skip To My Lou is a place to fulfill the passion for sharing the best in life.

Thank you for stopping by!

Cindy

Now go and vist! Skip to my Lou~!

Confess! Trust! FORGIVEN!

2010-06-25T04:57:00.000-07:00

Blessing dear friends! Let us remember, during this day, the Lords wonderful forgiveness. Do not dwell on what he has put out of sight. Confess! Trust! FORGIVEN!

Psalm 32

A psalm of David.

¹ Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
² Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
³ When I refused to confess my sin,
my body wasted away,
and I groaned all day long.
⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Interlude

⁵ Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Interlude

⁶ Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
⁷ For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Interlude

⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
⁹ Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

¹⁰ Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
¹¹ So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Blessings and have a wonderful day! Tracylea

Favorite Blogs: Generation Cedar

2010-06-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

Kelly at Generation Cedar is one of the most spoken about bloggers that I know. Her post are so heartfelt and true and often controversial. Kelly certainly is not afraid to call out sin~! I love this website, it should be among your favorites too!

Generation Cedar

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” Psalm 92:12

Welcome to Generation Cedar!

Every generation is known and named for something…we’ve got the “Baby Boomer” generation, Generation X, Y and Z.

Generation Cedar is named so because we desire to encourage families to raise the next generation for the glory of God–firmly planted and flourishing “like a cedar in Lebanon”.

We’re so glad you dropped in on our family-run website and business!

We are a very normal family with ups and downs, tears and laughter. Some days are wonderful, others, not so much. But we are sincerely striving to chase after God and allow Him to guide everything we do.

Kelly, a.k.a. “Word Warrior” writes for the blog, and has a passion for inspiring and encouraging women to build godly homes.

Satan is seeking whom he may destroy, but we believe the Lord wants to raise up strong families in the face of discouraging times…families who will bring Him glory and be a part of rebuilding our Christian heritage.

Our prayer is that you will find a refuge here; we have a strong community of like-minded friends and we would love for you to join us!

Favorite Blogs: A 2nd Generation of Homeschooling

2010-06-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

A 2nd Generation of Homeschooling

A 2nd Generation of Homeschooling is a wonderful blog by my dear friend Lisa Metzger. This blog is full of Lord glorifying tips, good sound biblical advice and excellent ideas on biblical home education. Here is a little about Lisa:

Welcome! I am Lisa (Lively) Metzger, devoted helpmeet to Mark and 2nd generation homeschool mother to 8 children on earth and 7 in Heaven, resting at the feet of Jesus.

Lisa is in the process of moving from her old blog and transferring her information. So please plan on visiting often.

Enjoy!

Blessings Tracylea

Frugal tip: House Party

2010-06-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

What is House Party you ask? Here are the details:

You've got questions, we've got answers.

What is a House Party^™?

House Party^™ lets people who really love something host a special event featuring a fun, free, exclusive experience sponsored by the world's leading brands.

Cool people sharing cool stuff. A House Party^™ is thousands of parties happening across the country on a single day, hosted by people just like you. Each event is sponsored by a leading brand and focuses on something cool–like a new product, hit TV show, or great cause–that the sponsor wants its best fans to experience firsthand and share with their friends. (Check out some of our recent events.)

You host. Everyone wins. House Party lets you share the stuff you like with the people you like, through a fantastic, free party experience. What's the catch? There is none: Our partners understand that if they share something good with the right people in a fun way, we'll all help spread the word.

What's inside the party packs?

Each event has a unique Party Pack filled with all kinds of free stuff to make your party a success. We've thrown all kinds of events: TV Viewing, Wine & Chocolate Pairing, Kid-centric, you name it.

Hosts of some of our recent events have received:*

Advanced copies of TV Shows

Sneak Previews of Movies

Board Games

Action-figures

Gourmet Chocolate

Gourmet Coffee Samples

Coffee Maker

Coupons

Special Offers

I have hosted three or four parties. One was a chocolate party, one a paper towel party and one a new show on Cartoon network party. It was so easy. The coupons and free items are wonderful and make it well worth your time. I apply for all the parties I think I would enjoy and get to host one in ten. Not alot, but not alot is expected of you.

To find our more information or join click here. Or send me and e-mail and I will refer you~!

Blessings, Tracylea

Blossoming In Grace

2010-06-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

I just love this blog, Blossoming In Grace by Annalise. Here is some info about the author:

About Annalise

I seek to fulfill the high expectations set by God, by myself and my parents. I long to minister to young adults showing them how to resist the world's entrapment of rebellion and self-centerdness and how to live a life "worthy of the calling" they have received! I share how teens can live life for God, setting high expectations for themselves, using Scriptures as a guide tool.

I am 2nd generation homeschool graduate, who was adopted from Kazakhstan when I was 10 years old (my story here). I am the oldest of 8 children, so far, and I look forward to meeting my 7 other siblings (miscarried) in Heaven someday.

This fall I plan on studying to become a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant), as I continue to babysit and work as a sidewalk counselor at local abortion mills.

Seeking to Please Jesus Always!
Annalise

Please visit this sweet blog and let her know I sent you!~ Blessings, Tracylea

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

2010-06-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Do not go to this site when you are hungry. I love to come here and look for hours. Sometimes I build my weekly dinner menu around things I have found here. Enjoy!

http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/

And by the way, when I read the title I always think "No kiddin'"!

Blessings, Tracylea

Path to Freedom

2010-06-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

Here is my first recommended blog: Path to Freedom Urban Homestead. I have a dream to own my own self-supporting little spot one day, and this website is full of ideas and dreams. Enjoy!

Path To Freedom

About the Urban Homestead

In the mid-1980s, our family set out to do the seemingly impossible: To create what we dubbed an urban homestead and live a self-sufficient, low-impact life in the heart of the city. For years we worked steadily to transform our ordinary urban lot in Pasadena, California, into an organic permaculture garden that supplies us with food year-round.

Having found food security in our own backyard, we were emboldened to take further steps. We began powering our home with alternative energies and fueling our car with home-brewed bio-diesel. Along with new technologies, we also embraced the simple living of past generations. We kept farm animals for egg production and manure, used secondhand goods to decrease our consumption of earth’s nonrenewable resources, and taught ourselves a variety of back-to-basics skills. Through much hard work, and no small amount of blessing, our "urban homestead" now enjoys a dramatic degree of independence, with ever-decreasing environmental impact.

The journey is ongoing—and we are by no means finished—but we are grateful to have come this far. In 2001, we named our homegrown venture “Path to Freedom” and created this website —the first ever devoted to urban homesteading. We hoped that by documenting our personal experiences we could offer encouragement to those striving to live a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle. Eight years later, PathtoFreedom.com is now the largest and most comprehensive urban homesteading website, with more than five million hits per month. We believe that our family’s real-life experience is what makes the site unique: We aren''t just writing about the latest eco-practices and products; for more than two decades, we have been living the revolution. At our daily blog, "Little Homestead in the City," you can witness first-hand our struggles and joys, defeats and successes on this pioneering journey.

We now run a family of websites which offer goods and interactivity for others on "the path." For our expanded online outreach, non-profit organization, and progressive online stores, visit this link.

Please note that Path to Freedom is a noncommercial, family-operated venture. We devote countless hours to this site, and, despite the opportunity for profit, we remain committed to keeping it an advertisement-free forum. We do this because we believe in giving freely to others, a value upon which strong, healthy communities are built. We hope you will take this principle to heart, and will view this site not just as a place to “take” (answers, ideas, inspiration), but as an opportunity to “give” as well. Whatever you may gain by reading about our journey, please remember to “pay it forward” to others in some fashion. Together, we can ignite a revolution of spirit that will truly change our world for the better!

-- Jules, Justin, Anais, and Jordanne Dervaes

A little change here

2010-06-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

You are going to be seeing a little change here at A Mother's Apron. A few weeks back I posted a frugal tip and thought I would follow each week with a new one. This was well received and I have decided to continue on with it. I have also decided to add links to my favorite blogs, similair to the A Mother's Apron facebook page, yet different. I will be "highlighting" some of my favorite blogs, not posts as I do on the facebook group, but entire blogs, each week. So hopefully we will see a little more activity here at A Mother' Apron Blog. Blessings dear ones, Tracylea

You will regret it............

2010-06-09T05:38:00.000-07:00

I think it is our natural inclination to tell people when they are doing something sinful............but don't we all learn better lessons if we figure it out on our own?

"You will regret it", is a common phrase that people say, yet we seldom hear "you are going to hell if you do it".

But ultimately isn't that the outcome we should all be concerned about, going to hell or at the least displeasing God? The word regret sounds so much better than hell.

So if you see someone doing something wrong (sinful) maybe you should say, "you are going to hell". Would that stop them. It might!

I have a child who is straying pretty close to the "going to hell" line. I know what he is doing will cause him regret, but is it sinful? Yes, he has crossed that line. So should I tell him the truth. Yes, I think it is time. Will it be easy, no. But is it necessary, yes.

Matthew 18

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

¹⁰"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.^a]">[a]

¹²"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

A Brother Who Sins Against You

¹⁵"If your brother sins against you,^b]">[b] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ¹⁶But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'^c]">[c] ¹⁷If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

¹⁸"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be^d]">[d]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^e]">[e] loosed in heaven.

¹⁹"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

²¹Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

²²Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.^f]">[f]

²³"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents^g]">[g] was brought to him. ²⁵Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

²⁶"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' ²⁷The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

²⁸"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.^h]">[h] He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

²⁹"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

³⁰"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

³²"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' ³⁴In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

³⁵"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

blessings, Tracylea

Be careful dear ones............

2010-06-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

I think most of us have heard the following children's song at least once:

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
There's a Father up above, looking down in tender love,
So be careful little eyes, what you see.

Be careful little ears what you hear
Be careful little mouth what you say...
Be careful little hands, what you touch...
Be careful little feet, where you go...

But as with many songs we sing over and over again we often lose their meaning. But this little song has been playing in my mind over and over the last week, especially when I have been on the Internet. And the message is coming through loud and clear.

Be careful what you see, hear, say, touch and where you go. Got it. As the Bible clearly tells us :

Psalm 101 (King James Version)

¹I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

²I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

³I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

⁴A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

⁵Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

⁶Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

⁷He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

⁸I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Ladies the Lord calls us to watch what we see, hear, say, touch and where we go! Not only are we to watch, there are ramifications if we don't! Pretty serious ones.

Blessings dear ones, Tracylea

Serve the Lord Jesus Christ

2010-05-24T05:20:00.000-07:00

Romans 16:17-18 (King James Version)

¹⁷Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

¹⁸For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Wow, read that again.......and again............and again. That is so powerful. "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly....." Ouch.

I have been re-reading my copy of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. In Chapter 10 Mrs. Chancey points out that we are all servants and true happiness is found in sacrificing for the Lord. Christ is our wonderful model in all this. (See John 10:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:15) As Mrs Chancey wonderfully points out:

"Over and over again, Jesus shows us that true living is found in joyfully sacrificing ourselves for others. It is found in dying to our own desires and wants so that we can pour ourselves out for Christ in the service of others. "

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald

Are you serving your "own belly" sister? Or are you a servant to our Lord? Do you die to self daily or are you faithful to the Lord when it is convenient? Prayerfully ask yourselves this, I have and I don't like the answer much!

Blessings, Tracylea

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T07:12:00.001-07:00

Mother, turn your heart towards home!!!

2010-05-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

"We have forsaken what is good with what is BEST. The days can be filled with many temptations, all enticing our souls, minds and our hearts away what is God’s best for us. I believe many of us unknowingly choose such busyness for our lives falsely assuming it is the norm, but what we really need is to just live more simply. Simplicity helps to restore peace and order.

Sometimes we need to pare away the unnecessary things in our lives. This might be saying no to outside activities or events. This might be stepping down from some ministry positions we have found ourselves in. This could be putting some of your favorite craft projects on hold to be able to do some real work around the home. This might also mean taking a long break from the internet if we find it always tugging at our hearts pulling us away from our first duties."

Posted By Mrs. June Fuentes

Read the entire article here ~!

Blessings, Tracylea

Job Description

2010-04-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

Ahhh.......I love my job, don't you? Read Genesis 2:20-25 below. Isn't our God so good to us. He gave us a job description. Amen!

Genesis 2:20-25 (King James Version)

²⁰And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

²¹And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

²²And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

²³And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

²⁴Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

²⁵And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Choose to love

2010-04-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

Kelly at Generation Cedar has really struck a cord with me today. Marriage is not about being in love, it is about choosing to love. My dh and I could not be any different. Our personalities, our likes and dislikes and our love languages are totally opposite. This can cause some real issues in our relationship, but our marriage works. I choose to love him. I choose to see God's will for my marriage and make it work. Is it easy? No! Kelly says:

Three responsibilities of Christians concerning marriage:

Understand the gravity of what your marriage says to the world about our Savior and purpose to say it well.
Pass the baton of marital faithfulness to your children and grandchildren.
Teach others around you–anyone and everywhere–about God’s design for marriage.

Please read the whole article here .

Make it work ladies!

Blessings, Tracylea

Children's Behavior

2010-04-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

"Many parents have a struggle between their hopes for their children's behavior and what the children actually do. This is more easily solved than the parents think. There are three key elements to doing this.

(1) The authority of the parent enables the parent to act. Without this understanding, the parent will feel reluctant to make their child obey their wishes. They might try different means of persuasion, but they will feel powerless to do anything.

(2) Discipline with its accompanying chastisement makes sure the parents' desire for their children comes to fruition.

(3) The setting, communication and implementation of boundaries for the children. In other words, what are we going to tell our children to do and how do we get them to do these things?"

Biblical Foundations For Freedom
http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net

Every little bit counts

2010-04-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

Ladies, I am starting a new weekly blog post called "Every little bit counts". Each week I will post a helpful tip for saving money. Here is the first one:

Have you heard of SwagBucks?

Swagbucks is a search engine that pays you to use it with 'swagbucks', which are electronic money you can use to buy things from their store (anything from amazon credit to guitars). All you have to do it sign up and search: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/slink1211 .

I want to say this does really work and so far I have had no ill effects from it. I have "won" enough points each month to buy two $5 Amazon gift cards per month. I wanted to do this for at least 4 months before I mentioned it. If you haven't already, maybe give it a try.

Blessings, Tracylea

Being a good friend

2010-04-19T09:11:00.001-07:00

I am a very opinionated person.
Yes, I am.
And sometimes that offends people.
And it should.
But mainly I know it is not pleasing to the Lord.
And I want to stop.

I am very black and white in my thinking. And because I have a very strong opinions I can often seem closed minded or judgmental. I like to argue, too much, and am sinful in this area. When I tell a story, or my opinion, I seldom appear like there is room for a difference of opinion or facts. This has, over the years, caused me some problems. Problems with family and friends alike. In reality I am very open minded. I like to hear others thoughts and can easily be swayed on non-sinful things. I do think I admit when I am wrong and truly appreciate others pointing errors in my thinking out to me. But is that how I am presenting myself?

I have a friend who had to, very painfully I must add, pull me aside in Christian love and tell me she felt like I was trying to sway her feelings about people. What??? I was just telling you the facts. Or was I. She was right, I do try to sway people my way. I do add my opinion when not asked. I don't always tell the facts. I am opinionated and sinful. And He knows and forgives me. And has sent others to help me grow away from this behavior and to readily forgive me.

Praise the Lord for a friend who cares. Friends who see the need to help you grow in the Lord. I can only imagine how hard it is to speak to someone who is as strong willed as I am, in love. Yikes. I am so blessed to have friends who will do this. Thank you Lord for loving me enough to send this poor soul to help me mend my ways before it became out of control.

Do you have a friend like me? Is there something you have been trying to tell her and just can't get around to it? Friend I would encourage you to seek the Lord and with His guidance do it!

I may not always agree with others, but I love you Lord and want to glorify you in all I do. I pray that how I disagree or discuss with others can always be loving and make You proud. I praise you for your words and for bringing others into my life to hold me accountable. I thank you dear Lord for remembering my sins no more:

Hebrews 8:12 (King James Version)

¹²For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Blessings, Tracylea

Homeschooling

2010-04-16T06:34:00.000-07:00

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. - William Butler Yeats

We have some concerns that our ds, age 11, is a pail being filled. We have, for the last few years, played with the idea of homeschooling. Now we are seriously praying about it. My son attends a wonderful Christian school, but he has a momma who really wants to homeschool him. We don't like what schools, public and not, have become. No one told me being a parent was so hard. I can only imagine how our God feels.

Blessings, Tracylea

Idols

2010-04-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

"wives have many idolatrous affections. For example, how her husband behaves or treats her can easily become an idol even to the point of displacing the Lord Jesus Christ as her deepest affection and longing" Martha Peace in An Excellent Wife

We all have idols don't we: exercise, physical appearance, husbands, marriage, children, money, success, our homes. But our hearts should always be set on our Lord. We all look and try to get things we want and do not need, or should I say the Lord knows we do not need. Daily we should be devoted to pleasing, serving and seeking the Lord. There should be no room for idols.

If you are worshiping something other than the Lord, it is an idol. If you are willing to sin to get it or sin to keep it this is an idol. Is how your husband treats you becoming an idol? Is how you look in the mirror an idol? Repent and turn to God. Some of us may have to do this daily...........I do!

Ezekiel 14

¹Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.

²And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

³Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

⁴Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

⁵That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

⁶Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

Blessings dear one, Tracylea

Budget......what stinkin budget??????

2010-04-09T06:49:00.000-07:00

Again today I read in the paper of local government/schools having to close locations because there is not enough funding.

My local Library system announced this week that they "had" to close 6 branches of the library because of a funding deficit. Yet they have over spent their budgets in the past and just within the last two year built a huge library downtown that had many unnecessary luxuries added to it. (Not to mention that it was built wrong and had to be fixed.)

Can we say BUDGET?

Earlier this year our local school system announced they had to close two of our school and consolidate others, plus start charging for riding the bus and sports activities, because they too had a deficit. This school corporation built a huge football stadium a few years back, that sits empty most of the time, at a price of over $4 million dollars.

Can we say BUDGET?

Hmmmm.....this is starting to get out of hand. Just this week Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke out about our growing national deficit, here. I don't think I need to even go into the overspending of our government.

What if we ran our households like this.......oh, many of us do. But it is time for all this to stop. Stop incurring debt at home, schools, churches, cities and finally our nation.

I really like Dave Ramsey and his take on things: "Debt is dumb and cash is king". Dave has some wonderful free advice at his website and he has many books that you can check out from the local library. His baby steps are a wonderful start! But we all need to start.

If you are debt free, great, how about talking to others about how you got there. If not, the time to start is now.

Blessings, Tracylea

Our lives are real

2010-04-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

There are many days when I feel utterly inadequate as a home-keeper, mother, wife and God worshiper. I was struck by the honesty I found in this article at Ladies Against Feminism. This statement from the article is so true:

Life is not picture-perfect, but the work is worth doing. Pretty touches are needed and wonderful, but when little ones are around, it is more important to teach and live than it is to have a home where nothing can be touched or put out of place. Our lives are real, and so is the mess… but, more importantly, so is the love.

Can I get an Amen sister!

http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/?p=503

Blessings, Tracylea

Great Authors Webinar Series

2010-04-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

~~Gather your family for seven engaging evenings of learning online as part of Vision Forum’s exclusive Great Authors Webinar Series. Hear live lectures from seven leading authors discussing their timely books, and engage in interactive Q&A — all part of an intimate online discussion with your favorite Christian authors. A valuable supplement to any home school program, this special webinar series offers a great opportunity for families to study important subjects together — a powerful educational tool for home education, church, and family.~~

Our husbands

2010-04-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 3

¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Resurrection Sunday

2010-04-03T09:53:00.001-07:00

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Quite Peculiar

2010-04-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Romans 12:1,2

¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

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

This bible verse is so clear isn't it? Not in, of or for the world but in, of and for our Lord God. You can find a wonderful article here, on At The Well, that addresses this verse. The article asks the questions, Are you peculiar? Are you? I know at times I am. It seems we are called to be. But am I peculiar enough? Probably not.

I am going to print off this verse and place it where I will see it each morning. Then each night I am going to ask myself if I am true to it, to the Lords request.

I'll let you know my progress. Maybe you can join me.

Blessings, Tracylea

Wise Advice

2010-03-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 24:3-4 (King James Version)

³Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

⁴And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Recommended by Me

2010-03-30T06:49:00.001-07:00

I can not recommend these DVD's by the West ladies more. I have learned so much and I consider myself a homekeeping expert (smile). These would make a wonderful gift for ladies who are getting married or for a girls hope chest. Mother's day is just around the corner.

Check them out here:

blessings and have a great day! Tracylea

Things I have learned from Rozella

2010-03-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

I have a friend, who is 88 years old. She is amazing. Her name is Rozella. I have learned so much from her.

One thing I have learned is to never stop learning. Read, watch TV, and ask questions. Sometimes when Rozella wants to ask me a question she will say "Now get this......" and then ask the question. One time I was telling her something and she said "That is groovy man........." She sounds like a really bad hippie in a little old ladies body. She tells us all about the shows she watches on tv or what she reads. She is an avid PBS watcher. She is still learning.

Another thing she has taught me is to always, and I mean always, be busy. Rozella volunteers everywhere, mainly at the hospital and at the school. I volunteer with her at the school and she runs circles around me. She puts the dishes away and cleans the counters. But her main job is to serve the kids dessert. And she hates it on brownie day. Actually, she doesn't hate it, they are just a little challenging to her. She will say to me, "what is the deally-o with these brownies, they are so sticky". They usually stick to the spatula she is using to serve them. This really bothers her, not because of the mess, but because of the waste. She hates to waste things. Which brings me to another thing I have learned from her.

Don't waste things. Rozella lived through the depression and she knows this is the way to go. She believes the motto use it up or wear it out. She told us last week she has had the same couch for 50 years. She had it reupholstered in 1975, but it is still as good as new! She wore the prettiest modern suit to a friends wedding last summer, she had bought it in 1978 and it had come back into style. She looked great, man.

One time Rozella told me if she died in front of me, not to give her CPR. I thought she was joking, but she wasn't. She is more than ready to go to our Lord and her Kelly. And that brings me to the last thing I have learned from Rozella. Always look to the Lord. He will always be there. You see Rozella has outlived her Kelly (Kelso) her husband and a daughter, and many family and friends. All of these things were very hard on her and she still tears up when she talks about them. But the Lord never left her during this time, just ask her. One time she told me, I love the Lord more today than yesterday and I hope that goes on and on.

I would give Rozella CPR or a kidney, if she wanted it. I just spent three weeks going from store to store looking for beef liver for her this winter. I would do anything she asks me, she means the world to me. I love Rozella and still have alot to learn from her.

She is cool, man.

Blessings, Tracylea

2010-03-28T05:24:00.000-07:00

John 12:12-13 (King James Version)

¹²On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

¹³Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Biblical Principles Concerning Submission and Joy

2010-03-27T06:09:00.000-07:00

Four Biblical Principles Concerning A Wife's Submission and Joy

Joy results from trusting and obeying God's Word.
Joy results from knowing that God is working to accomplish His purpose even in difficult circumstance.
Joy results from following the examples of the Lord Jesus in difficult times.
Joy results from a Spirit-filled life.

An Excellent Wife
by Martha Peace

Specific Ways Wives Are Not Submissive

2010-03-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

Specific Ways Wives Are Not Submissive~~The Excellent Wife
by Martha Peace

1. She does things that are annoying or vexing to her husband

Proverbs 21:19

2. She does not discipline the children as she should (even after her husband asks her to).

Proverbs 29:15

3. She is more loyal to others than her husband.

Proverbs 31:11

4. She argues or pouts or gives him the cold shoulder when she does not get her won way.

Proverbs 21:9

5. She does not stay within the limits of their budget.

Proverbs 19:14

6. She corrects, interrupts, talks for her husband and is too outspoken when others are around.

Proverbs 27:15,16

7. She maipulates hin to get her wone way. She may manupliate by deciet, tears, begging, nagging, complaining, anger, or intimidation.

Luke 10:40

8. She make important decisions without consulting him.

1 Corinthians 11:3

9. She directly defies his wishes.

1 Samuel 15:23

10. She worried about the decisions he makes and takes matters into her own hands.

Philippians 4:7,8

11. She does not pay attention to what he says.

James 1:19

What a friend we have in Jesus

2010-03-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

I always like people more than they like me. Is that weird? When I become friends with someone I always think, going into the relationship, that it will last a lifetime. They often don't. I think of people as my friend and then never hear from them again. But some of my friends have been my friends for a looooong time. Like 35 years.

I don't really have a best friend other than Jesus and my husband. I wonder if it is because I am not a good friend? Or do I expect too much? I am a great giver of grace. I always need lots of forgiveness so I freely give it to others. But I also talk alot, about myself and others. And I say really, I mean REALLY, stupid things. I don't think alot before I speak.

Does "everyone" have a best friend?

My husband is a really good best friend, but doesn't he have to be? He is kinda stuck with my problems and idiosyncrasies. And he never likes to talk about purses.

Maybe I don't have a bestie because I hate to shop. I also spend alot of time with my husband and family. And maybe I smell? I wear skirts and maybe that is too weird. I don't always brush my hair. (I think we are are starting to realize what the problem is.)

I have a friend, who by the way is still my friend, tell me once she didn't share personal things with me because she only shared them with Jesus. How do you respond to that? It is admirable. It kinda makes the whole friendship thing useless. But she had a really good point.

Jesus is the ultimate best friend. He never tells you you are dumb. He doesn't care if you don't know what a Vera Bradley is. He likes your hair, He gave it to you. He likes that you seldom wear shoes and that you talk to your pets like they can understand. He never gets mad at us, even when we say REALLY dumb things to Him. And once, He died for us.

^{John 15: 12}This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

¹³Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

¹⁴Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

All that He really asks in return for His unconditional friendship is that we do whatsoever He commands us to do. How hard is that? He was so kind and wrote it all down. Right there, in the Holy Bible! We can read it every day. But alias, do I. What a friend I have in Jesus, but what kind of friend am I to Jesus?

I am blessed that I do have alot of friends. Good friends. But I do have some friendships who's seasons have passed and gone. But others are still strong. But ultimately my "friendship" with our Lord is the most important.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Blessings dear ones, Tracylea

The Politically Incorrect Wife

2010-03-24T05:42:00.000-07:00

"The politically incorrect wife does not buy into modern-day thinking that says:

1. You are in control of your own life.
2. Marriage is a fifty fifty proposition,
3. You should treat your husband like he treats you.
4. Your feelings are your guide.
5. Your husband needs to earn your respect.
6. You should make him pay for your forgiveness.
7. There's no such thing as a happy marriage anymore.
8. Your husband's job is to make you happy.

The politically incorrect wife does hold to these spiritual principles, which transform from the inside out:

1. Doing things God's way is the key to having a joyful life.
2. I am 100 percent responsible to God for my behavior as a wife.
3. I'll love my husband unconditionally.
4. I will act the way I want to feel.
5. Respecting my husband brings glory to God.
6. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.
7. A Source of power is already available to help me!
8. My joy is not determined by another human being."

~~The Politically Incorrect Wife by Nancy Cobb and Connie Grigsby

Whole Wheat Pitas

2010-03-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made these whole wheat pitas. They were yummy. Pitas are nice to have on hand for lots of sandwiches and snacks. I like to just eat them plain. Ds wanted to put a banana covered in chocolate in one. We decided that it might taste a little weird. The cost of the same pitas in the store would be around $6.00 dollars. I think the cost at home was not quite $1.00 for all. We made the pitas as a family and I would encourage you to do this. The key was making sure the oven was at 400 and the pans were hot.

Do you have any cost cutting bread recipes you would like to try? There are many on the web. I don't make alot of bread, but I bought the book The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread by Peter Reinhart and Ron Manville, and I think I am going to work through it this summer. I am also thinking about learning to make cottage cheese. We eat alot of that at our place too!

Think about it dear ones. Anything you want to try? I would encourage you. Practice makes perfect and trying never hurt anything.

Blessings, Tracylea

People Get Ready Jesus Is Coming

2010-03-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Isiah 3:12-14

As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.

The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

When I read these verses the song "People Get Ready: Jesus Is Coming" plays over and over in my head. Hear and See it here.

I am not prepared to make a broad statement about women leading our nation. The Bible speaks very clearly on this matter. (1 Corinthians 11:8-9, 1 Corinthians 14:34-36, 1 Timothy 2:8-15) But I cannot help but wonder if where we are today, as a nation and in our homes, is not directly related to women leading and feminism.

I stayed up late last night to watch the debate (or debacle) and vote on the Health Care Bill. Many, many strong Republican men spoke against it: Mr.Pence, Mr. Boehner and many more . And although my politics lean to the Republican side, I still noticed very few Democratic men speaking strongly for it. Could that be because the leaders in the Democratic party are women? I don't' just mean the person who holds the office. I mean in and out of the limelight. In their own homes.

If you have ever heard our First Lady speak you can tell she is a feminist and wears the pants in her family. She doesn't carry the title of President, but she is the First Lady, and the leader in her home, and in direct conflict with the bible. I cannot and won't even start with Nancy Pelosi, that could take days.

While I believe women should not be restricted from God-given privileges and responsibilities, women should not assume responsibilities in positions that God has not granted them.

The Lord God makes it clear in Isiah, in the time of judgment from our beautiful Lord we will be ruled by women and there will be ramifications. Dear sisters, please be careful. Do not fall into Satans trap. Do not let the spoil of the poor into your home. Know you place, know your responsibilities. Support strong men, raise your boys to be strong men. Raise your daughters to be strong too, strong in their support of the biblical men in their life. To set an example to the world of how our Lord tells us to live.

He is coming dear one, that is a fact. People get ready, Jesus is Coming.

blessings dear ones, Tracylea

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T16:28:00.001-07:00

To battle dear one

2010-03-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children,
and training them up in God's fear,
and minding the house,
and making your household a church for God,

as you would be if you had been called
to lead an army to battle
for the Lord of hosts."

~Charles Spurgeon

Words and actions

2010-03-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

In Luke 6:45 Jesus says “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

How are we speaking dear ones? And I don't mean just with our words.
Are we kind? Gracious? Sweet?
If not, why? Please dear ones find out why. Seek the Lord and His answers.
blessings, Tracylea

Favorite website

2010-03-09T17:36:00.001-08:00

I just love this website. And those of you who know me know I read alot of websites:

http://urbanhomestead.org/

I can only dream of having a "yard" like this one day!

blessings dear ones, Tracylea

Tomatoes, just in case

2010-03-08T09:43:00.001-08:00

Last week I read this article here and it got me thinking. We use tomatoes alot: salsa, pasta sauce, ketchup, soup and fresh. If restaurants and stores are going to be increasing prices on fresh, I imagine it won't be long until the canned and bottles are increased (although the article says they are grown in California).

Today while I was at Target I noticed they had sauce for .84 cents a jar. I bought three. Then I went to the canned food isle and bough a few cans, just in case. Just in case, they go up, run out or I need them and don't want to pay full price.

This got me thinking. Aren't we, as Keepers of our Homes, to always keep "just in case" in mind. Just in case of an emergency, storm, shortage or necessity.

There was a large recall of food last week, nothing I had bought was on there but I decided to keep the website at hand, just in case. I keep a folder on my computer of recalled items. I keep my eyes open to articles like the one above. I also like to keep and ear open to what is going on in the food world around us. Just in case.

Having a full pantry is wonderful. It gives me a good sense of well-being. I have built this pantry over time. Just trying to add $10 worth of extras, items on sale, during each shopping trip. All the items are ones I use, so nothing goes to waste. But we have things, just in case we need them. Here is one example of what to keep in a pantry. What items you keep and how much depends on your family size and likes. I don't try to keep a certain number of months supply, but enough to rotate easily.

Some of my favorite sites to visit for this information are:

http://www.menus4moms.com/articles/pantry_list.php

http://preparednesspantry.blogspot.com/

http://adayinthelifeofanldshippiefarmer.blogspot.com/

I am sure there are many more out there to be found.

Blessings dear ones, Tracylea

2010-03-08T09:21:00.001-08:00

In forming the moral habits of children, it is wise to take into account the peculiar temptations to which they are to be exposed. The people of this nation are eminently a trafficking people; and the present standard of honesty, as to trade and debts, is very low, and every year seems sinking still lower. It is, therefore, preeminently important, that children should be trained to strict honesty, both in word and deed. It is not merely teaching children to avoid absolute lying, which is needed: all kinds of deceit should be guarded against; and all kinds of little dishonest practices be strenuously opposed. A child should be brought up with the determined principle, never to run in debt, but to be content to live in a humbler way, in order to secure that true independence, which should be the noblest distinction of an American citizen.
~~ The American Woman's Home
Authors: Catherine E. Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe

Please pray

2010-03-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

Please pray for sweet Jethro!

http://farmlegend.blogspot.com/

Lemon Squares

2010-03-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

Best Ever Lemon Squares

Crust:
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar — plus extra for garnishing
2 tablespoons cornstarch
6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

Filling:
2 eggs
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
Don’t preheat oven quite yet. Line an 8 inch square metal pan with foil.
Spray the foil with cooking spray
Pulse flour, powdered sugar, and cornstarch in food processor. Add butter and
process to blend, 8 to 10 seconds, then pulse until coarse. Pour the dry mixture
into lined pan and press over pan bottom. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. While it
chills, you can make the filling.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. When oven is preheated, bake the chilled crust
for 18-20 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned.
Filling: Lightly beat the eggs, sugar, and flour together in a bowl. Add lemon
juice, lemon zest, cream, and salt and mix well.
Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Stir filling again, then pour filling
over warm crust. Bake for 20 minutes or until filling no longer appears wet and
shaky.
Cool to room temperature. Lift from pan, place on
cutting board, dust with extra powdered sugar and cut into bars.
Makes a dozen squares

Sage Advice

2010-03-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Sage Advice

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and candid, people may cheat you;
Be honest and candid anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them
anyway.
~~Author unknown

Good Day!

2010-03-05T08:53:00.000-08:00

"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." ~John Jay The very first United States Supreme Court Justice

A Mother's Apron

I am back

Lainey

Lots going on

Perspective

Blogs I visit daily: Blessed Homemaking

Favorite Blogs

His Servant

Blog going radical ????

Increasing

Favorite Blogs

Donations

Storms

Stay At Home Daughter

Face-Lift

Lemons, Lemons

Stewards of His property

Deep Roots At Home Blog

Spring Cleaning Your Home and Heart

Sale!!!! At Vision Forum

Let Him Lead

Easy Peasy Table Decorations for Spring

Circling The Wagons

Bible reading for 3/19/11

Isaiah 5:20-21 (King James Version)

Helping or hurting?

John 5:19 (King James Version)

Facebook break update~~~!

Facebook

Proverbs 25:28

Shocking or not

Enough Said

James 4:4 (King James Version)

Starting your day right with the minimum

Laundry Day

Boasting

Crown Him

Paratus Familia

Wonderful Blog To Visit

Favorite Blog: Your Sacred Calling

Favorite Blogs: Like A Bubbling Brook

FYI

Godlessness in the Last Days

2 Timothy 3

Godlessness in the Last Days

Communication and time management

Godly Direction

Skip to my Lou

Confess! Trust! FORGIVEN!

Psalm 32

A psalm of David.

Favorite Blogs: Generation Cedar

Favorite Blogs: A 2nd Generation of Homeschooling

Frugal tip: House Party

What is a House Party™?

House Party™ lets people who really love something host a special event featuring a fun, free, exclusive experience sponsored by the world's leading brands.

What's inside the party packs?

Each event has a unique Party Pack filled with all kinds of free stuff to make your party a success. We've thrown all kinds of events: TV Viewing, Wine & Chocolate Pairing, Kid-centric, you name it.

Blossoming In Grace

About Annalise

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Path to Freedom

Path To Freedom

About the Urban Homestead

-- Jules, Justin, Anais, and Jordanne Dervaes

A little change here

You will regret it............

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

A Brother Who Sins Against You

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Be careful dear ones............

Psalm 101 (King James Version)

Serve the Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 16:17-18 (King James Version)

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother, turn your heart towards home!!!

Job Description

Ahhh.......I love my job, don't you? Read Genesis 2:20-25 below. Isn't our God so good to us. He gave us a job description. Amen!

Choose to love

Children's Behavior

What is a House Party^™?

House Party^™ lets people who really love something host a special event featuring a fun, free, exclusive experience sponsored by the world's leading brands.