Cheap and Easy Topiary

An attractive ivy topiary is easy to construct and the design options are endless. I chose a simple circle shape for my window topiary to keep as much of the natural light in the kitchen as possible and still bring life and interest to the area. Any shape can be simply constructed by wire and training your ivy to grow in the desired form. From a simple cone to an elaborate animal shape, topiary's are alot of fun and if made with ivy its also easy on a shoe-string budget.
Clippings from a mature plant can be rooted and transplanted to start another topiary. Simply cut and place in a jar of rooting hormone. Roots will start to show after a week of being in the rooting hormone.
Don't have rooting hormone? No problem. I made my own from cutting a small willow tree branch up in tiny pieces and placing them in a small glass of water. Willow roots release growth hormones called auxins that will stimulate the root growth of other plant cuttings in water. This is just one more reminder of how Great a God we serve!

Making the Dough

Challah (A traditional Jewish Bread)

3/4 Cup Milk
3 Tb. olive oil
2 Tb. Honey
2 Eggs
3 &1/4 Cups All purpose flour
1 &1/2 tes. salt
2 tes. yeast ( Bread machine)

1. Add all ingredience in this order to your bread
machine.2.Set machine on dough cycle. 3.Divide dough into three equal parts.4.Braid dough starting from the center.5.Let rise on sheet with parchment paper. 6.Bake at 350' for 21 min. Enjoy!

$41.00 Weekend Project

This is the transformation of a Salvation Army special! I'm very pleased with the results. I spent $30.00 on this makeshift console table, $7.00 on black rustolium paint, and $4.00 for two new brushed nickel door knobs. Here are some before and after photos to help encourage you to look for cheap makeover projects for your home!

Because we have our main phone on the top of this shelving unit, I needed to have posted notes close at hand. I stuck this self sticking set of posted notes on the inside of the left door. This way their close and convenient but not in sight. Lime green doesn't exactly fit in with our decor.

Sometimes you really need to use alot of imagination when searching for diamonds in the rough. Make sure that everything is doable. If your not handy, stay away from major fixer-uppers. Keep to a piece that only need's a new coat of paint and hardware.
This whole project was really fun. I can't wait to get my hands on another weekend project!

Dear Lord, Help me to be a Godly Wife

Due to all the positive responses from my last post "Dear Lord, send me a husband", I was inspired to write more on the topic of marriage. Here are five things that I hope you find helpful whether your married or still waiting upon the Lord for your other half to arrive.

1. Unconditional Respect is HUGE! Respect is something everyman needs. When his wife is disrespectful in her attitude, words, or even non-verbal communications, he takes it personally and will respond harshly...almost 100% of the time. Unconditional respect is one of the biggest ways you show your husband that you love him! when you do this he'll respond to you in love and kindness. Don't shoot yourself in the foot....if you know what I mean.
2. Admire him! This is also essential for a healthy relationship. Take a good look at your husbands best qualities( both inward and outward) and complement him daily! Woman are not the only ones that desire nice complements.
3. Honesty really is the best policy! This goes before and after marriage!( In our first week of dating, Erik asked me many questions, trying to get to know me. I can remember being worried that I might give an answer that he wouldn't approve of. Turned out I was made for Erik and my honesty to his questions revealed that. Had I answered the way I thought he would like me to, I could have ruined our budding relationship.
4. Help him! Find out (Ask him) specific tasks that he expects you to do to help him. for Example, I help my husband by preparing all the meals, keeping a clean orderly home, pay the bills, clean the laundry,etc. A wife was created to be a helpmate for her husband. If you find yourself so consumed with work that hubby and the house both get neglected, reconsider working outside of the home.
   
5. Support him! As the head of the home, your husband has the God given responsibility to make the final decision. As wives, we have our God given responsibility to submit to our husband and that decision. Take my advice, submit and support your husband even if you don't agree. I have seen many times that my husbands decision turned out to be the best. I've also seen how God has worked in my husbands life when he makes the wrong decision. Remember, God has the power to change our husbands into better men, let Him do it. Don't try to take over and in the process miss out on a huge blessing!

There is so much more to write on this topic. Please let me know if these postings are helpful and you wish to see more. Encouraging wives and wives to be is a passion of mine.
God bless you!
Beth

Dear Lord, Send me a husband.

For the single woman that follows this blog, I would like to encourage you to pray. Pray often for your future husband. But first I feel that I need to encourage you to enjoy your singleness. Don't be too anxious to be married that you miss out of the incredible season of singlehood. Use your singleness! Right now you have the opportunity to glorify God in ways that you wont be able to once you are married.
Here are some things to pray and think about concerning your future mate.

• His heart. You don't just want a saved man you want a changed man that will lead a you and your family in a way that pleases the Lord. This also includes His values and priorities. If he does not put God first in your relationship before marriage this is a HUGE red flag!
  
• His family. This is one that is many times over looked but you do marry the family as well. Pray for his parents and siblings and the relationship between you and them. Problems between you and the in-laws will cause problems between you and your husband almost 100% of the time.
• His spiritual growth. A man who is constantly growing spiritually is the man you want! Pay close attention to his personal life. Don't just listen to what he says but watch what he does. His actions and priorities are results from his spiritual growth or lack thereof.
  
• His protection. This includes sexual purity and spiritual battles that he faces. Pray that he will make good choices and stay far away from people and places that would encourage him to sin. A pure past helps to make a more pleasant future.
  

I hope you find this helpful. God Bless You!

Walk with me!

Now that the major holidays are out of the way and the new year has come, Erik and I have decided that we need to walk at least a little bit everyday. We have been wanting to find time to exercise with each other, but with a Pastors unpredictable shcedual this has been a challenge. A shorter Lunch brake and a walk around our development has been our solution for the last week and it seems to be the answer to our dilemma. It has been a great time, just walking and talking. Its so important that couples take the time to do things together. Wither it be a hobby or sport you both enjoy, if it gets outside and moving, make time for it! It strengthens your relationship and your body. Praise the Lord for He is good!

Tips for Organizing the Dreaded Junk Drawer!

1.empty drawer completely, throwing out the junk and makeing a list of needed items for your next shopping day.
2. vacuum or wipe out the drawer.
3. Test all pen's and markers, throw out the duds, and sharpen pencils.
4. Find a shallow box or container(ex. greeting card box bottom and top or plastic tub) to put loose items in(ex.pen's, paper clips, nails, twistie tie's etc.) .
5.Place the least used items towards the back and the commonly used objects like scissors, tape and clothes pins in the front.

Tips:
*The larger your junk drawer, the more junk you will accumulate! Choose a smaller drawer if this is your problem.
*Never use this drawer for storing important or expensive items such as keys, bill's, phone numbers or cell phone.
*Make sure that everything in the junk drawer is family accessible. If something is off limits or Dad's only, place it accordingly, but not in this drawer!
*Reorganize and check inventory of the junk drawer as needed but keep up on it. don't let it get out of control. This will help keep "loosing things" and unnecessary frustration to a minimum.