Here a little, There a Little—Getting Projects Done

Many of us have all of those projects lying around the house and tucked away in boxes. These are projects we would love to get to “if”… “if” I had this or that, “if” I knew this or that…or “if” I just had the time. How many times have we said that? The reality is that we already do have the time; we just have to know how to use it rightly to finish our projects.

Having many projects on the to-do list or half-started, it is easy to get overwhelmed or even give up. I used to think of all my many projects that needed to be finished. I ended up spending way too much time trying to plan how to get them all done, instead of working through each one. Each item on the list was also too vague, not accounting for some key parts involved in getting each task done. We need to get more specific, only choosing a few projects to work on at one time. It is also necessary to order the tasks on our list so that working on them becomes practical, like the top, bottom, and quilting steps to making a quilt. If we spend all our time on the whole picture we’ll get overwhelmed. Being more specific about the order of each step will help us to begin to work towards completion on our projects.

The search for the elusive time. So, we have our smaller, more specific projects in mind that we want to finish, but cannot find “The Time” for it. That always seems to be a problem, doesn’t it? I search for this time everywhere and can’t find it: those glorious huge chunks of time that we long for to finish this or that, but the “if only”s do not get us any closer to that pile of fabric in the corner. The first step that GOD has been teaching me is to not wait for those few continuous hours to appear, but to schedule an hour a day (or a few times a week) as a time specifically set aside for crafts.

A review of your daily routine may reveal that there is something that is already taking up too much time. These may be areas of your day that you probably want to cut down anyways, like computer or TV time. Replace some of that time with the crafts that you want to do. Instead of simply trying to cut down on unconstructive activities, focus on spending that time doing something else that is more constructive. It is good to have a scheduled time in your routine, instead of waiting for that miracle craft moment to appear.

It is best to take advantage of what time you do have.

To use the time that you are given for the day, especially in regards to squeezing in craft time, requires a change in perspective. The majority of people think that no significant progress can be achieved in a short amount of time. We tend to assume that, in order to get anything done, we need at least an hour or so of uninterrupted time. However, even the smallest increments add up over time. Anyone who has ever accidentally left the bathtub plugged with a slowly leaking faucet has seen first hand what amazing results can come from slow, consistent action.

It is impressive how fast those single drops fill up the bathtub. It is the same when we devote small increments of time to a given task. Scripturally this point of view is described in Zechariah 4.9-10: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that YHVH of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven…”

Now that we have covered our project focus, schedule, and perspective; let us discuss how to recognize time and use it. This is another step that GOD has been teaching me. There are many instances during our day where we end up waiting around for ten minutes or so. What are we currently doing during that time? Usually nothing. Think of the times when your hands are idle, and brainstorm how you can keep your hands busy with your craft projects.

Consider what the virtuous woman does with her hands (Proverbs 31): they are occupied in her work, in helping the poor and needy, and in producing good fruit. Keeping my hands busy with good things also helps me to think things over and pray, even for ten minutes, if that’s all I have. For example, I take my crochet work with me when I need to take the bus. I also take something portable with me to work on while I’m stuck in the laundry room for an hour. Since I have to stay in the laundry room anyway, it is like an extra hour for craft time. Recognizing small increments of time as opportunities for working rather than a waste of effort will help us to find all the available time which can be used for completing our projects.

The last thing involved in clearing out our projects corners is being consistent. Stick to your shorter, detailed project list in your small opportunities of time. Working on a few projects at a time will help you keep focused, and as you see your progress you will be encouraged and motivated to get it done.

Be consistent with your routine craft time, as well as taking advantage of small increments of idle time that come up. Be sure to change up your projects when you are ready to move on to the next few—that way you won’t get tired of doing the same thing over and over again. Lastly, reward yourself! Do a quicker, fun project when the “big bad forever project” gets done. A single drop, small beginnings, and short increments of time turn into a full bathtub, a finished Temple, and a finished project with GOD’s wisdom.

To rightly use our time to finish our projects, we need to look at our schedule. Then, using scheduled and unexpected small pieces of time consistently, with a change in perspective, will help turn our small beginnings into a finished masterpiece. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isaiah 28.10.

Homemaker’s Notebook

Over at the Homestead Revival, you will find this nifty Cloth Napkin Tutorial.

Rainy Day Fun

This year, it seems as if there has been more rain than ever. Some of you have seen a lot of snow and have been snowed in your homes with the kiddos. If you’ve been snowed in or just stuck inside on a rainy day, here are a couple of fun and edible ways to brighten up your day!

First, on our agenda is a recipe for Play Dough Cookies. I have tried this recipe, and had a ton of fun making them! A friend and I decided to make them during Christmas, although neither of us have children. My nephew thought the cookies “looked cool”, like a large lollipop. I’m sure that children of any age would enjoy this! They are fun, bright and very delicious! We found this recipe on The Secret is in the Sauce blog.

Play Dough Cookies

3/4 cup butter
3 ounces cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 and 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
assorted food coloring (gel or paste works best)
*We used gel food coloring, and it was an absolute success!*

1. In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

2. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir until soft dough forms. Divide dough into Fourths. Tint each with a different food coloring.

Wrap in plastic and chill for two hours. (I stuck it in the freezer for 15 minutes because I hate to wait!)

3. Preheat oven to 350. Shape colors into 3/4 inch balls.

For each cookie place one pink, one orange, one green, and one blue ball together and roll to make one giant ball. Roll into a 12 inch long snake, and then starting at one end coil roll to make a cookie.Place cookies 2 to 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet to allow for spreading.

4. Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

We found that by placing the rolled balls back in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes, they were easier to roll out into snakes for some adorable cookies! Here, they are – the finished product!

Next, we are going to make homemade Play-Doh! Since it is homemade, it is also edible. I know that, as a child, my brother and I often considered eating the store bought kind. So mothers, never fear! Your child is safe to eat your “Play Dough”.

Play Dough for Kids

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
Food coloring/flavoring (optional)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute or until mixture begins to get thick. Pour onto wax paper and knead. Put into a zipper bag to keep fresh and soft.

To color:

Put amount of dough you wish to color in a zipper bag. Drop food coloring into bag with dough and knead while in bag.

I hope you have a fantastic time making the “Play Dough” and Play Dough cookies! The cookies are absolutely delicious, and definitely picture worthy! I have had a great time making each of these recipes. It might be said that I, too am just a big kid.

So, if you ever find yourself (and your children) stuck inside on a cold, nasty day grab up these recipes and prepare to brighten your day!

Spring Cleaning for the Heart and Home

Get ready for this year’s 2nd Annual Spring Clean Challenge. It begins March 1, 2010!

There will be print outs and homework and heartwork… So plan ahead!
We will have discussion here on Weekdays (Monday – Friday). You can report your progress, discuss questions you have or share insights you have discovered.

Plus! We will be giving away great FREE PRIZES daily!! To enter to win, just comment on your progress and discuss the daily devotions each day!

Winners will be selected and notified every evening!

Join the Proverbs 31 Sisters Network to participate!

Valentine’s Day Menu

I love making my family feel special on Valentine’s Day. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday which is perfect for celebrating all day long! Here is a free download of our traditional Valentine’s Day Menu. I hope you enjoy the recipes!

Download the .pdf version of this menu along with the recipes here.

Breakfast:
Heart Shaped Pancakes with fresh Strawberries and Maple Syrup
Strawberry Yogurt Parfaits
Orange Juice

Dinner:
Spinach Lasagna Béchamel
Tossed Salad with Strawberries, Green Onion, Feta and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Garlic Toast
Strawberry Lemonade
Heart Shaped Butter Cookies
Decadent Chocolate Cake with Strawberries and Cream

Cheerful Homes will be a Light to Neighbors

We need more sunshiny parents and more sunshiny Christians. We are too much shut up within ourselves. Too often the kindly, encouraging word, the cheery smile, are withheld from our children and from the oppressed and discouraged.

Parents, upon you rests the responisbility of being light-bearers and light-givers. Shine as lights in the home, brightening the path that your children must travel. As you do this, your light will shine to those without.

Frome every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revelaed in action. It should flow our in all home intercourse, showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out – homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the morning dew.

- Ellen White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 144

Sundays at Home

Well, today is Sunday. Which for me, generally means, getting the house back in shape if I am behind – which, today I am very behind. We spent nearly everyday last week working in the garden/ yard. I’ll share pictures of that later! I don’t think I have ever worked so hard in my life! Well, physically, anyway. Thankfully I have no pulled muscles and seem to be no worse for the wear.

I like being at home. Today it is raining – a true blessing because that means that whatever work is still awaiting me outside will have to wait until another day. That means I can devote the entire day to puttering around the house, cleaning, and making my home a haven for my family. Sometimes I use Sundays for rearranging things and “re-decorating” the house. I look forward to Sundays.

Today, we will be getting the house back in order after not just one week, but two weeks of being outside or just out of the house. It is unusual for me to be gone, but the week before last, I had appointments everyday of the week! I am in need of some home rejuvenation. So, how do I go from chaos to calm in less than a day?

How to Go from Chaos to Calm in Less Than a Day

This is only for the determined spirit, believe me! If you are easily distracted or overwhelmed, be sure to ask God for self-discipline and strength. A messy house is depressing. You will feel much, much better when it is all done! Believe me, I know!

1. Gather up the children.

2. Turn off the internet, television, video games, and any other distraction that may keep you and your children preoccupied.

3. Decide which room to begin with. I like to begin with the kitchen/ dining area of my home.

4. Assign each child a task within the room or just bark er, nicely give orders to the children such as:
“Put this away.”
“Scrub this wall, here is the cleaner and the Magic Eraser.”
“Dust this book shelf.”
“Quickly!”
“Let’s move!”

Anyway, you get the idea. Don’t let anyone finish a job without it being immediately replaced with a new one and don’t let one child work intentionally slow. Be sure to follow up with lots of praise!

5. Complete one room before moving to the next.

I generally save bedrooms for last and then we will either all clean each others rooms together or I will have the children work on their own space. Even the messiest rooms will be whipped into shape within 15 – 30 minutes if everyone works together and works efficiently.

I plan to have a “Ice Cream Sundae Bar” tonight to celebrate the hard work and the clean house! Maybe we’ll even enjoy a movie night and some scrapbooking….

Resurrection Cookies

We will be making this recipe on Saturday night. It has been a few years since we have made them and the children are excited!

Resurrection Cookies

You will need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:

These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important — don’t wait until you are half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

Spring Cleaning for the Heart and Home 2009 Challenge!

Today we are beginning our 2009 Spring Clean Challenge over at A Virtuous Woman! I have written an e-book which will be available for download in installments as we work through the challenge. I hope you will join the group!

If you are not already a member at A Virtuous Woman, it’s free to join! And easy, too!

Here are 10 reasons to join:

1. Get your own free blog.
2. Upload photos and create photo albums.
3. Participate in the Discussion Forum.
4. Join a Special Interest Group.
5. Make new Friends.
6. Read hundreds of articles and devotions.
7. Receive the Proverbs 31 e-Newsletter each month.
8. You’ll be automatically entered to win monthly giveaways!
9. Members will receive A Woman of Worth Quarterly Journal and Cookbook e-Magazine in your email box for free! ($12.95 value)
10. Find the encouragement you need to become the woman God desires you to be.

I hope to see you over at A Virtuous Woman, joining me as I Spring Clean my Heart and Home!

Home…

A few moments ago my darling little, oh so precious little girl says to me, “Mommy, I want to stay five years old forever.”

And I said, “You can stay my little girl forever, even when you are all big.”

These are the best days of my life, for sure.

This morning began in the quiet stillness of dawn, with me curled up under a snuggly soft woven blanket on my sofa, sitting under the light of a lamp with a book in my lap. I have so thoroughly enjoyed reading My Utmost for His Highest. I can’t tell you how it has spoken to me… as if Oswald Chambers wrote it for me!

I wrote several pages in my prayer journal before rising to wake up the children. After cheery “Good Mornings” in a sing song voice and turning on lights with a request to get up, get dressed, make your beds and come down for breakfast, I went into the kitchen to start a pot of grits and fry up some vegetarian bacon. I had made Sourdough Blueberry Muffins yesterday as part of my bread baking day. So, those only needed to warmed.

We ate breakfast around the table. The dishes were cleared. I then read from this year’s children’s devotional. Today’s topic was Backyard Missionaries and a story of two boys who were able to witness about what the Bible really says to a friend of theirs. Then, we sang a worship song – today was “Praise Him, Praise Him.” We ended with prayer.

I then instructed the children to spend a few minutes straightening up their rooms and I went about tidying the rest of the house. Amazingly enough, after just a few minutes of putting away clutter and wiping down the bathroom sink and loading the dishwasher and getting it started, I found myself trying to find something that needed to be done. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am still in the midst of Spring Cleaning, but those chores will be done later today. The house was tidy. In fact, after having so much chaos in my life toward the end of last year, having a clean house everyday for several weeks has been so refreshing. Having it so clean that I just need to spend a few minutes each maintaining my previous work is tremendously satisfying!

So, having nothing better to do, and went and sat down in my Sunroom to enjoy the view from my window. I saw the book The Adventist Home sitting on the table and decided to pick up that and read a chapter. The words are always inspiring. I wanted to share some of those with you.

Creating a Pure Atmosphere

Every Christian home should have rules; and parents should, in their words and deportment toward each other, give to the children a precious, living example of what they desire them to be. Purity in speech and true Christian courtesy should be constantly practiced. Teach the children and youth to respect themselves, to be true to God, true to principle; teach them to respect and obey the law of God. These principles will control their lives and will be carried out in their associations with others. They will create a pure atmosphere – one that will have an influence that will encourage weak souls in the upward path that leads to holiness and heaven.

Children who receive this kind of instruction … will be prepared to fill places of responsiblity and, by precept and example, will be constantly aiding others to do right.

God would have our families symbols of the family in heaven. Let parents and children bear this in mind every day, relating themselves to one another as members of the family of God. Then their lives will be of such character as to give to the world an object lesson of what families who love God and jeep His commandments may be. Christ will be glorified; His peace and frace and love will pervade the family circle like a precious perfume.

Much depends on the father and mother. They are to be firm and kind in their discipline, and they are to work most earnestly to have an orderly, correct household, that the heavenly angels may be attracted to it to impart peace and a fragrant influence.

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