nurturing my home

nurturing my friends and family with simple blessings.

30 seconds of wonderful…

In my head, as a mother, I keep a running list of things I have to do with my daughter.  Dance in the rain, bake all birthday cakes together, sing loudly into a hairbrush microphone, allow her to apply my make-up, snuggle while watching movies and introducing her to articles of clothing that never go out of style.  Today we checked off a major item…Steel Magnolias!!  We crawled into my big bed and watched Shelby marry, announce her pregnancy and die.  It’s every southern girls favorite movie…and now my little southern girl loves it too!

Side note:  After the movie I wanted to dig out my Tretorns, tease my hair and find an Esprit bag!

 

natural dyes

Easter is right around the corner!  We love, love, love to decorate eggs!  Since I can remember we’ve pulled out the acrylic paints and allowed our children to create masterpieces.  Sadly, they always ask for the lame dye to dip with.  We supply paintbrushes, endless palates of paint, sticker…and they want cheap kits.  Well not this year!  I’ve found some great natural dye recioes with ingredients you probably have in the cabinet.

Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.

Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Jade Green
Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Green-Yellow
Peel the skin from 6 yellow apples. Simmer in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer 4 oz. chopped fennel tops in 1-1/2 cups of water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Orange
Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Red-Orange
Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Yellow
Rich yellow: Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Mustard-yellow: Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Various shades: Steep 4 bags of chamomile or green tea in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes.
Pale yellow: Chop 4 oz. goldenrod and simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Faint yellow: Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar.

Brown-Gold
Simmer 2 Tbsp. dill seed in 1 cup water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Brown
Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup strong coffee.

Pink
Faint pink: Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Dark pink: Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets.

Lavender
Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

attitude of grattitude

This past Sunday we attended a different church, to watch our nephew and sweet Isabella perform.  A few days before Husband and I started to pout.  Our pastor would be on week two, of a six week series, we were really jazzed about hearing.  We both still attended ladies’ meeting and men’s coffee that week, but were dragging Sunday morning at the idea of missing our crew.  

Thankfully God is merciful and prepared a message we desperately needed to hear.  The local school superintendent was a guest speaker, and seriously impressed us both.  He spoke about having an “attitude of gratitude”, a lesson we all could benefit from.  Our culture breeds un-thankfulness, while the bible repeatedly tells us to be thankful for EVERYTHING, including our struggles.  

The four of is were blessed by the experience away from our routine.  Stepping outside of our box isn’t that bad…may have to try it more often.

inspire your husband

I found this article on pinterest and thought you guys would enjoy it also!

There’s an old joke about one of our presidents walking with his wife, who sees one of her old boyfriends in a less-than-glorious occupation. The president looks at the old boyfriend and remarks, “If you hadn’t married me, you might be married to that guy.”

The first lady answers calmly, “If I had married him, he’d be president.”

Now, occupation is not the measure of a man. But as a wife, you do possess a unique power to inspire your husband. Your loving vision of the man he’s becoming propels him toward greatness—not necessarily by the world’s yardstick of success, or even your own, but of God’s.

When you believe in him, he is secure. He can take the leaps of faith required to surmount fear. He can bear up under pressure, pioneer new territory.

An inspired husband feels the freedom to reach the fullest potential of the man God has created him to be. He’s not merely encouraged. He’s a man who’s empowered; a conqueror. If you want to give your man some “wind beneath his wings”… start here.

1.  Initiate great sex.

2.  Send him an email. Example: “Praying for you today. Thanks for being so courageous in [insert specific area].”

3.  Give him one night on a regular basis to do something he loves.

4.  Consistently mention ways you see him growing to be more like Christ.

5.  Ask him about his “bucket list.”

6.  Give him a book, audio CD, or ticket to learn about something he loves doing.

7.  Ask him about some dreams he has — and pray about them together, evaluating them. Then ask how you can help him go after them.

8.  Text him. Example: “REMINDER: I BELIEVE IN U.”

9. Make sure he feels respected by you.

10.  Leave sticky notes in his lunch, on his steering wheel, in his briefcase, etc. “So proud of all you’ve been doing with ___.” “You are so great with our kids.” “You are my dream come true.” “You are an incredible lover.”

11.  Suggest that he take some time to go pursue a hobby.

12.  Leave a message on his voicemail: “Thanks for going to work every day to take care of our family. You are so good at what you do.”

13. Ask him how you can pray for him at work. Later on in the week, ask about his prayer requests again.

14. Be proactive about doing something together that he really enjoys: make a date, get him excited, and share his enthusiasm!

15.  Tell him areas he’s gifted in. Don’t stretch the truth; be honest so he can trust you.

16. Pray for him.

17. Initiate great sex.

18.  Start and keep a “Dreams” binder with him. Include some travel brochures or whatever gets you excited. In the back, make sure you have a “Dreams turned reality!” file.

19.  Talk with him about setting aside a small part of the budget to pursue the ways God has created him — through education or through sheer enjoyment.

20.  Post on his Facebook wall: “I love being your wife! See me tonight regarding this.”

21. Gently communicate with him about what you like in bed, and respond encouragingly to his attempts.

22.  Remember a dream that he had a long time ago. Talk with him about whether it’s still a dream — and still a possibility.

23.  Ask God to open your eyes to the ways He has made your husband and to give you wisdom about how to maximize that workmanship.

24.  Have your children write him notes or letters about what they love about their dad.

25.  Initiate great sex.

26.  Ban yourself from any nagging, the Great Life-Sucker.

27.  Ask, “If I could do one thing I’m not already doing that would really empower you and inspire you, what would it be?” Listen — resist being defensive (the hard part) — and follow through.

28.  As you think of them, remind him of specific times and areas he has impacted people’s lives: “Hey, I was thinking the other day about all the time you invested in that Cub Scout troop. Wonder what those boys are doing now. It was so cool to watch them grow with you as their leader.” “Our son has grown so much in encouraging people lately. He gets that from you; you are such a good example for him in that.”

29.  Buy him something small to stoke the fires: a journal for a writer; some carpentry pencils for a woodworker; some grilling tools for the master chef. Add a sweet note: “Just because I love the way you’re made.”

30.  Do something fun and unexpected together: paintball; laser tag; on a spring day, have a picnic, blow bubbles, and bring the books you’re reading; swing; go to a drive-in movie, bring popcorn, and instigate a make-out session.

31. Think about a way you’ve been hurting him, annoying him, or not “seeing” him. Apologize, and work hard at showing true change.

32. Initiate great sex.

33. Go to a home improvement store to plan a small, doable project that energizes both of you, even if it’s just painting a room or fixing up some landscaping. (Hint: Make sure it’s something by which he won’t feel burdened.)

34. Do something from his to-do list for him — something that he’d rather have you do anyway.

35. Find a mutually enjoyable activity you like doing together on a regular basis — even if it’s playing the Wii together.

36. Create a cheerful atmosphere when he comes home.

37. Design a date night that will help him to de-stress and have fun.

38. Discover his love language and become even more fluent in it.

39.  Pray about and pursue at least one dream of your own, talking with him about it.

40.  What’s hard about his life right now? Pray for his endurance, and encourage him specifically. Galatians 6:9 is a great start for both.

41.  Organize or clean something in your home that you know he finds messy.

42.  Send a snail-mail love note to him at the office, affirming him in his work.

43.  If there’s something on his “Honey Do” list at home that he finds overwhelming or has a hard time finding time to do, talk with him (respectfully and gently) about the possibility of having it hired out. Make sure he knows it’s not because you find him incompetent, but that you want to free him from a burden.

44.  Initiate great sex.

45. Be a student of your husband. Does he feel inspired if he’s got all his ducks in a row? If he’s got a creative space to think? If he feels verbally affirmed?

46. If he’s into dressing nice, go with him to shop for clothes in which he feels confident.

47. Let him overhear you speaking well of him on the phone, among friends, or in public places.

48.  In his area of weakness, pray about how to subtly and gently step in and help him.

49.  Tell him what a great dad he is. Be specific.

50.  If and when he messes up, respond with the kind of grace, compassion, and mercy that God gives us. Respond in a way that communicates, You’re safe with me — and I’m not going to rehash your failures. This is a secure place for you to grow … and I love the journey with you.

pictionary cards

We played a new card game tonight, pictionary, girls against boys. The girl pile was a bit messier than the boys. Wonder why?

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random acts of christian kindness

My newest idea for submerging my children in the love of Christ and choosing to serve the people around them.

Check out the page above.

getting uneasy in here

This past Sunday our pastor started a series on evangelism.  I highly recommend listening to his sermon if you have the time or interest.  I left completely ashamed of myself and my lack of outreach to non-believers.  He talked about all the “nice people” and “really good people” who WILL spend eternity in hell.  I’ve known hell would be full of do-gooding non-believers for years, and still fail to live a life full of outreach.

I have deep theological conversations often…with my believer friends.  I educate my children in a christian school…with more believers.  I spend my free time crafting, having coffee or reading (mostly theology based books) with some more believers.  It seems like we’re on Team Jesus and mighty proud of it, but what am I doing to empty the seats in hell?  Not much.

Pastor Dan spoke about how easy it is to talk to strangers about his grandchildren and how difficult it is to bring up Jesus.  I agree.  I can talk for hours about knitting, pinterest or my children.  I can bore someone to tears singing the praises of our school, how gross eggs are or why Americans are fat and lazy.  Why can’t I be that bold about Christ?

I’ve decided I can be.  Do I want to stand before God and admit I was uneasy sharing the gospel?  No.  No I don’t.  I’m tossing around some ideas and would love to hear your stories of sharing Jesus with strangers!  Email me or comment below.

http://redeemeronline.cc/media

 

speed bump

A small bump in the road, and the past week packed with a bible study, a wedding shower, a spend the night, a girl’s night out, church and loads of homework/studying, have left my site with very few entries. I have so much to share! I’ll be reviewing a few drafts tonight, and hopefully posting them.

Nurturingmyhome.com has surpassed 3000 views in 6 weeks and we’re on track to post our 100th entry this week! I’m not sure who everyone is that reads, but I do ask that you peruse the site with genuine interest and not malicious intent. Thanks for the traffic! I’m working on a few changes/updates and can’t wait to share them.

Melisa

quinoa, veggie delight

Husband is out of town for the evening, so I get to pick dinner!  He’s not a huge quinoa fan, and I am.  I love making a salad I can enjoy the entire weekend.  I prepared a cup and a half of quinoa, chopped an entire container of cherry tomatoes, sliced an english cucumber and tossed in a container of reduced fat feta.  It’s made a huge bowl of quinoa-veggie yumminess that I plan on devouring this weekend!

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this makes me a professional, right?

I wanted to work the details out before I announced my big news, sorry for keeping all of you on the edge of your seat!

I’ve been asked to review a few (yes, three) local eateries on my site!!  How exciting!!  That means I need you guys to open your calendars and pencil in some lunch dates!  We can dress up, pretend we’re from out-of-town, try something new to eat…It’ll be a blast.

I may be changing the “monthly menu” tab, to a “local eatery” tab.  What do you ladies (and my father-in-law) think?

 

 

coming tomorrow…

HUGE Nurturing My Home news!!

(Not that huge, but pretty exciting.)

scary bubbles

I have an irrational fear of car washes. There. I said it. I’m afraid of driving through a tunnel of suds and water, well…not really the cleaner scares me…more the freaky mechanical arms that may or may not forget to stop, and chop off the top of my car! With me in it! I always unbuckle and half-way lean over, preparing to protect my head from shards of glass, and lunge for the floorboard.

Yesterday I received a free coupon to our local car wash as a birthday bonus (a bit late aye?), for the $13 fancy-shmancy deluxe wash. Since Husband has been working all day and the children are with my parents, I decided to take advantage of this treat. Never, ever, ever, would anyone at the Robbins’ home PAY $13 for a car wash, way to cheap, but a free one…sure thing!

I had no idea that the $13 car wash was a longer wash! I guess for all the extra squirts or carcinogenic chemicals and huge swirly brushes to torture me with. I’m totally serious when I tell you I was leaned over, reciting scripture out-loud with my eyes squintched tightly shut! For the love!!! I’m getting shivers now writing about the experience…yuck.

Thank God I have a teenage son and Husband to wash my car on a normal basis.

where can i do this?

I need this somewhere in the house!  It’d make an adorable photo backdrop.

seaside, fl

A few weekends ago we spent the day in Seaside, FL and wandering down 30-A.  It’s absolutely one of my favorite places to be.  This morning the temperature feels as brisk as that day…and I remembered the photos!

Is there a more beautiful coast line anywhere else?

So clear!!

Momma is shopping and daddy is playing with the new camera.

The water was gorgeous and crystal clear.

momma bear

I’m struggling folks.  Really struggling.  As a woman who desires to have Godly thoughts and actions, I’m mega struggling in the maternal department.  I’m having a difficult time separating from the innate desire to protect my cub.  I’m using bear examples, because my thought process has veered towards mauling…in an angry bear way, not the cute pot of honey carrying way.

My oldest is awkward, tightly wound and super sensitive.  It takes him an hour or two to unwind and relax after school, to return to my boy.  His personality doesn’t mesh well with the other young men in his class.  They poke the bear.  My bear.  My little bear cub.  My six foot tall 145 pound bear cub.  This poking has been a four year problem.  When is enough?  When, as a mother, do I pull the plug?  When, as a family wanting to please God, is it enough?

We’ve explained to him that jerks are everywhere.  For the rest of his life, he’ll encounter jerky people, everywhere.  How do we deal with this, so that it’s glorifying God in the process?  I’ve tried ignoring, complaining, praying for the children, praying for the families, therapy for my kid…you name it.  I’m truly asking, seeking wisdom from the faithful who read, how do we deal with this and remain on a path pleasing to the Lord?

the perfect gift for me

Why don’t I have these?

zucchini boats!

I was inspired by my sweet friend Ginger to make this dinner.  She found the recipe on pinterest and used a different variation of filling, the possibilities are endless, and it turned out great!

I halved the zucchini, spooned out a bit from the center and filled with spicy humus.  I added sun-dried tomatoes (the jarred kind in oil) and sprinkled with parmesan.  That’s what I had on hand tonight, but I’m already dreaming of plain humus with feta.  These could even take a mexican spin by adding black beans, corn and pico.  I’m pretty sure some variation of stuffed zucchini will be a staple on my menu now.  It’s also an inexpensive meal to prepare, three zucchini were $1.50.

I’m very impressed with this new recipe and can’t wait to hear from you guys on other variations.

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green stuff

 

 

I’m trying several different smoothie, supplement, healthiness ooze options, I had to share this picture.  Yuck.  It was horrible.  I was burping grass for an hour.

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greek quiche

I could truly add feta, spinach and garlic to everything.  Kinda my “cooking holy trinity”, and after experiencing the feast at school, it was certainly on my mind.  I chopped fresh baby spinach leaves, garlic and sun-dried tomato.  Sautéed them in olive oil and tossed them in a ready-made pie crust.  Then I sprinkled an entire container of low-fat sun-dried tomato feta over the veggies.  Finally the eggs…I whisked six in a separate bowl and poured them over the other ingredients.  Easy and delicious.  Also, sun-dried tomatoes have ten times the lycopene that regular tomatoes contain!

 

greek day

Weeks of costume gathering, recipe hunting and line learning culminated in a fantastic celebration of mythical proportion!  The seventh and third grade classes teamed up for a short presentation on the god/goddess they had each been assigned, and then were treated to a mosaic tile class.  After they mastered the art of tile cutting and arrangement, they gathered for a feast.  Traditional Mount Olympus delicacies were served, like ambrosia, nectar and baklava.

I loved the creativity these children (and moms) displayed.  Out of respect for the other parents at school, I’ll only be posting pictures of my little goddess.

The feast!

Persephone, the goddess of spring and the underworld.

Like that headband?  We made it!!  She was so excited!

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