May Joys

Welcome to the May Edition of the Worth More Then Rubies Online Journal!

At My Desk

Dear Ones, I am blessed to be able to come to you. I pray this finds you well! I pray you are heading into the next season with joy! It's warming up quickly. Seems we didn't get much of a spring here in my neck of the woods.. And it's blazing hot already! We are preparing for the heat. Storing up on fruits and veggies as we can. Learning how to cool off without turnining on the air conditioner.. trying to cool off without spending a lot of money :) We have our garden planted. We are probably going to plant more tomatoes as we seems to just LOVE tomatoes. I use them in everything! I make gallons of spaghetti sauce and use in different casseroles. I use them in cold salads. They are yummy just as God made them.. as a quick and delicious snack to ward off the sugary treats.. I am going to make my own catsup this year! Are you digging in your garden? I would love to hear about it! Join us at http://acountrywoman.ning.com/ and join the gardening group! Let's share our stories!

From my Kitchen

Have you got bit by the gardening bug? Oh I have. We have our first crop of artichokes coming up! I am going to try my first one today :) YUM! I can't wait for the bell peppers.

Here is a yummy recipe for bell peppers

This is a recipe from my mother, June. We grew up on it and it's easy and great on the budget ;)

You will need
Bell Peppers.. one for each person
1 Large can of Corned Beef Hash ( I use at least one huge can as we have 7 in our family)
Catsup

Boil your peppers til they are soft
Cool them a bit so you can touch them and fill them with corned beef hash. Cook til bubbly and top with catsup.. like the last few minutes so it is hot and bubbly a little bit on top. Makes a good covering :)
Enjoy!




A Nugget from the Word

I will lift up my eyes to the hill from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1

This is a time of great trial and many fear it will only get worse. Dear ones, we have a source of great help. We must look, we must focus our eyes to the hill from whence our help comes from. He is the Maker of Heaven and Earth and He is quite able and willing to hear us in our distress. He is willing and able to help us in our time of need! He is our Great Shepherd. He is our Healer. He is our Sovereign God. He is. He is. I pray you know the source of our help. Do not grow weary. Do not grow faint. For He is our God. He is not asleep. He is not weary. He is. He is.

God bless all who would read.

Lesson Four in our Study of Proverbs 31

Lesson Four

Verse 14-16 says she is like the merchants' ships she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it'; with the fruit of her hands she planeth a vineyard. KJV

She is not afraid of hard work.. She even is industrious. She has many steams of income. She not only takes care of her home, she also helps provide financially for it. She works with eager hands on translation reads :) Is there a dream you have been holding onto and maybe this might be a way to bring a blessing and another financial stream into your home? Are you crafty? Are you a teacher? What are your God given talents and how can you use that to serve Him and bless your family? Are you living on a budget and watching what you spend? That in itself brings peace to a household.

If you are bringing a helping hand to your beloved, that is your calling. We are helpmeets, not as Eve and led Adam into sin but as a Sarah who served and loved Abraham and was his helper and his partner. His completion, his helpmeet. I would pray for you as you consider your worth.. the heart of the home. That we may not be Dr Jekyl and Mrs Hyde with wide emotional waves back and forth yet a calming stream with wisdom on her lips and encouragement for her beloved. That our homes are places of peace. Of harmony and of order. That we will be known as hard workers, as streams of joy and provider of all that is good and God honoring in our homes :)

Welcome to the April Edition of the

Worth More Then Rubies Online Journal

It's hard to believe it's April already! Time passes so quickly and do you ever wonder what you have to show for it? Day to Day tasks take time and sometimes clutter our view of what's real and when we look up, another year has passes and we regret all we did not accomplish or think we should have done. Don't lose sight of what's eternal. What truly matters. Did we spend time loving our husbands? Have we blessed our children? Did they know we loved them? Did we seek what is real? Let it be said of us, that we knew what mattered and we chose to love :)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

From My Kitchen

Cornbread

1/2 c. corn meal
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
2/3 c. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 egg
1 c. milk

Mix all the dry ingredients together. Then mix in the remaining three ingredients. Pour into a greased pan (about 8" square) and bake for 35 minutes at 350F.





Peanut Butter Cream Fudge

2 cups sugar 1 cup peanut butter
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream 1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt

In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, sour cream and salt; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Uncover and cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 238 degrees. (soft ball stage). Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter and vanilla. With a wooden spoon, beat until thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a buttered 8 inch square dish. Cool and cut into squares. Makes about 1½ pounds.
**Reduced fat or generic brands of peanut butter are not recommended for this recipe.



A Good Tip for the Day


To clean a plastic shower curtain, wipe it with a mixture of equal parts of white vinegar and water.

It's Resurrection Season and time to reflect on God's Grace. Where would we be if He had not walked that road in our place? We would be lost for sure. He took our place, paid the price for our sins and He was sinless. He was the perfect sacrifice. I pray you know the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus as your personal Savior. He loved you dearly. He treasures you. He saw your need and came down to earth and died to save you and I from our sins. He died and rose victoriously on the third day. He loves you and wants to give you His peace. I pray you know Him and will know life and life abundantly! May the Joy of the LORD be with you and yours this Resurrection Season!

February Issue!

Welcome to the February issue of Worth More Then Rubies Online Journal!

I pray this finds you blessed and loved! I pray you know how cherished you are! That our Merciful and Gracious, Loving God adores you and you are the apple of His eye! That He chose you from the foundations of the earth. That He holds you in His mighty right hand and that He will never leave nor forsake you.

This being the month of love, let's consider spending time blessing our husbands! What a wonderful idea! Let's not stop with Valentine's Day. It's over anyways :)

Let's each day do a few things in the name of love..

• Pray! Pray for our husband! First thing in the morning, lift your beloved to the Throne of Our God and praying blessings. Pray for his health. Pray that he would be full of God's wisdom and safey and care. As you think of him during the day, send up a popcorn or breathe prayer, such as , Lord bless......, Lord, please go before .... this afternoon............... Lord, bring............ home safe tonight...
  Send a little love note in his briefcase or lunch box.
  send him a little piece of chocolate or favorite treat he wouldn't get for himself
  one night this week, why not surprise him with a candlelight dinner? Even the mac'n cheese will taste lovely under soft lighting :)


• Once a day, give him a word of encouragment.


• Try not to say anything negative about him or to him this week.


• let him control the remote control.... yes, we can even do that!


• make sure he knows you respect and care for his opinions.


• let your children see how much you love him and value his opinion.


• speak good things of your husband to others.

Let's see how this works for a week! I would love to hear from you and would love to share it with others in our next issue!

What craft projects are you working on? Have you considered cross stitch or embroidery? Have you noticed how seeing the Word of God posted around the home of a lovely woman's house and the affect it has you? Why not put the two together :)

Find your favorite passage, favorite verse... Get some muslin.. enough for a pretty dish towel. it comes in pretty neutral colors. Get some embriodery thread and embroidery needles. All these can be found at Joann's or your favorite fabric store. Fold the fabric in thirds or fourths... on the bottom corner, depending on the size of the verse or saying, start stitching :) The free hand style looks primative and authentic .. so it doesn't have to be pretty :) It's rather homey! Enjoy!

Well, it's that time of the year again! Have you gotten the bug yet to start planning your garden? I have. Seeds are planted in their small green house trays and they are starting to bud. Have you been strolling thru the seed isles? Here are some links to get you started

• 
  http://www.homesteadgarden.com/journal.shtml


• 
  http://freedomgardens.org/

Todays Favorite Recipe

French Toast Casserole
5 cups Bread Cubes
4 Eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup white sugar, divided
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 TBS margarine, softened
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

directions:
preheat over to 350 degrees. Lightly butter an 8x8 inch baking pan. Line bottom of pan with bread cubes, in a large bowl. beat together eggs, milk, 2 TBS sugar, salt and vanilla, pour egg mixture over bread. Dot with margarine; let stand for 10 minutes. Combine remaining 2 TBS sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake in preheated oven about 45-50 minutes, until top is golden.

Til the Next Issue, God bless and May God bless the work of your heart!

New Year Joys!

View from my desk

Happy New Years! May this find blessed! I pray you find a renewed hope and the Lord blesses you greatly in 2009! Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chirst, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Eph 1:3 We have been given so much becuase of His grace. That alone is reason enough to live joyfully. We as Godly Women have been given a calling worthy of a joyful response. We have been given the name of Christ. We are called His workmanship.. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Eph 2:10. Time to lift our eyes and walk with our heads up high. Not in pride but in God confidence. That He chose us. That we are not castaways but the work of His hands.

As we start this new year, why not re-evaluate our thinking? We need to rid our hearts of negative, self bashing thoughts that are not of the Word and replace them with the Word. We are...

• Daughters of the King


• Have the mind of Christ


• excellent, strong, virtuous


• worth far above jewels


• trusted of her husband


• works with willing hands and hearts, industrious


• we are physically strong, we girds herself with strength and make our arms strong


• sense what is good and we work into the nigh


• we helps those in need


• we are not afraid nor give into fear as she knows our God is able, more then able to help us in time of need


• have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb


• we will be raised up with Him
  

Yes, the outlook in the world today is rather scary. But our God is still on the throne and we must stand firm. We must follow hard after His heart. And we will be known as gracious, strong Godly women. This is my prayer for us in 2009

From my Kitchen Table

Colorful Chicken Stew

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, uncooked and chopped

14 1/2 ounce diced italian style tomatoes. undrained

2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

4 large carrots, diced

3 celery ribs, diced

1 large onion, chopped
1 med green bell pepper, chopped

8ounce can musrooms,drained
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1 pkg splenda

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbl cornstarch
3 cups cold water

Combine first 12 ingredients except black pepper in large slow cooker. Mix together cornstarch and cold water. Add to cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until veggies are tender.

I double this for my family :)

I would love to have you join us in any of our social networks for Christian Women :-)

we have http://prov31keepers.ning.com for all Christian stay at home moms

we also have www.allchristianmoms.com which is set up for all Christian Moms.

and lastly we have a network for Christian Women who love living or dream of living the country life www.acountrywoman.com

A safe alternative to My Space!

blessings to you from Nancy :)

Christmas Blessings!

Blessings, Beloved Sisters!
I pray for Christmas joys to you and yours! Prayers of blessing and renewed faith this season :)

We celebrate a life long gift of a Savior. We celebrate more then just a babe in the manger or a pretty child's story but we celebrate the coming of the Messiah. The coming of God's Son Who is our eternal King and Redeemer. We celebrate the coming of a God's Son as a child but remember it leads to a nail and a cross which brings us Redemption and into a Relationship with the God of all Heaven if we so choose to accept His precious gift :-) I pray you find ...

For to us a child is born, un to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6,7


Some Gifts in a Jar Recipes to share!

Mocha Coffee Mix
5 Tb instant coffee granules
1 3/4 C Powdered instant dry milk
1 1/2 c powdered chocolate flavored drink mix
1 Tb powdered sugar
7 Tb powdered coffee Creamer

In a large bowl, combine the above ingredients and stir until mixture is well blended. Place mix in a wide-mouth 1 qt canning jar and attach gift tag with directions on serving.

to make

4 Tbl mocha coffee mix
8 0z boiling water
whipped cream if desired.


Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

2/3 c powdered coffee creamer
2/3 c milk chocolate chips
2/3 c powdered sugar
2/3 c powdered chocolate flavored drink mix
2/3 c powdered instant dry milk
1 1/3 c miniature marshmallows

Combine all ingredients til well blended. Place mix in a wide mouth 1 qt canning jar and attack directions to serve

to serve

2 tb double chocolate hot cocoa mix
8 oz boiling water
marshmallows if desired


May the God Who is Christmas bless you this year!

Sitting on the Front Porch Swing


Thanksgiving is approaching fast and we are a buzz with activity. We are heading down to my parents home for the yearly celebration and this year we are also celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. What a Godly example of a happy marriage, one that was ordained by God, lived out in grace and love right in front of me. In this day and age of disposible marriages, throw away families and quick fixes, it is nice to have a constant reminder that all things that are worth having, are worth working for. We never doubted Who my parents served. They served the Lord and they are reaping the fruits of their work. We, the children are rising up to call my Mom, blessed. We stand at the gates and proclaim my Father's honor :) As we head down to celebrate my parents, I can't help but think in a broader scale. How grateful I am for a loving Abba Father, One Who did not spare His own begotten Son, but gave Him as a ransom for many. That He is my peace. That I should be called a child of God is because only of His great sacrfice. And that is just the beginning of my gratitude list :0 I pray blessings over you and your family this year as we celebrate God's provision as a country and as individual families. I pray blessings over you and yours!



From the Kitchen Table


A Favorite Bread Recipe


For Honey Oatmeal

INGREDIENTS


• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 1/3 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast

DIRECTIONS

1. Place ingredients in bread machine pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
2. Select Light Crust or Basic setting, and press Start.


Nancy's Turkey Stuffing

5-6 celery stickes, stringed and chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 stick of butter
1 package stuffing
2-3 cups of chicken broth
1/2 cup chopped apples
Seasonings to taste.. thyme, poultry seasonings

Saute vegetables in butter. Mix in large bowl, rest of ingredients. Let set over night and then stuff the turkey.

Easy as pie and very yummy :)




Proverbs 31 Study Notes from the Living Room

Proverbs 31:13


She seeketh wool, and flax and worketh winningly with her hands.


Ever seen a woman who is at home full time and she seems so unhappy? She is acting like a druge and goes about her day as if she is being imposed on or that it is beneath her dignity to change diapers, clean up after her family she can't wait to go back outside the home to find fulfilling work? What a pity. What a better place to be then bringing a state of disharmony to her home. And that her family should see this! Does she realize she is demeaning herself and her family? She is telling them they are not worthy of her time and efforts and their needs are beneath her. What a shame.

Instead, the Proverbs 31 woman revels in her calling. She LOVES taking care of her family and she works with willing hands. She does so with a spirit of joy. She does not complain and find it a hardship to serve her family and they in return, rise up and call her blessed. She works with a joyful spirit and does not let bitterness take root. She does not compare herself to others, their financial situations, their families, their homes, but she recognizes the blessings that God has given her. She revels in the tasks ahead of her. She rises early and meets the challenges of her own family and their own needs.

Verse 14-16 says she is like the merchants' ships she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth i'; with the fruit of her hands she planeth a vineyard. KJV

She is not afraid of hard work.. She even is industrious. She has many steams of income. She not only takes care of her home, she also helps provide financially for it. She works with eager hands on translation reads :) Is there a dream you have been holding onto and maybe this might be a way to bring a blessing and another financial stream into your home? Are you crafty? Are you a teacher? What are your God given talents and how can you use that to serve Him and bless your family?


Are you living on a budget and watching what you spend? That in itself brings peace to a household. If you are bringing a helping hand to your beloved, that is your calling. We are helpmeets, not as Eve and led Adam into sin but as a Sarah who served and loved Abraham and was his helper and his partner. His completion, his helpmeet. I would pray for you as you consider your worth.. the heart of the home. That we may not be Dr Jekyl and Mrs Hyde with wide emotional waves back and forth yet a calming stream with wisdom on her lips and encouragement for her beloved. That our homes are places of peace. Of harmony and of order. That we will be known as hard workers, as streams of joy and provider of all that is good and God honoring in our homes :)

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving!