Extending the Life of Flowers

I love having fresh flowers in my home. They are so beautiful and make any space seem warm and welcoming. It's not something that my budget allows all the time, but I have found a great way for making flowers last a long time. By using this method you can make a bouquet easily last a week or more.

Bacteria growing in the water is one of the things that makes cut flowers die more quickly. This method helps to reduce that bacteria by keeping the water fresh and free from growth.

Start by buying a fresh bunch of flowers. You can often find them for $10 or less at the grocery store. Most are labeled with a "purchase by" date so you can easily see which ones are freshest. (Although, this method will help even an older bouquet last longer and you can often get them half off.) When you purchase your flowers look for additional packages of flower food. You will need 2 packages or more. Most bouquets come with 1 packet and additional ones are often only a quarter or less.

Choose your first vase. You'll want a vase that's a little taller. Your first arrangement is going to be with longer stems. Fill your vase with water and add the correct amount of flower food.

Make fresh cuts on each flower stem to the appropriate length for your vase. Rinse each stem well before placing it in your vase. Arrange the flowers as desired. I usually just arrange them freely in the vase for a natural, organic look.

Enjoy these flowers for 3-4 days.

After 3-4 days you'll want to recut all your flowers. I usually choose a shorter vase for this new arrangement and tend to go for a tighter, fuller look with my flowers.

Fill your new vase with fresh flower food. Add your flowers. Make sure each stem is well rinsed. If you want a short, full look you can arrange stems diagonally across the vase, placing the outside ring first, then using those stems to hold your inner blooms in place.

Your second arrangement should last an additional 3-4 days. If they are still looking fresh after 3 days, you can perform this method even 1 more time to get more life from your single bouquet.

Treat yourself to a beautiful bunch of flowers this week. It will seem very worthwhile if you can make those flowers last more than a week!

Do You Shop One Kings Lane?

Have you ever shopped at One Kings Lane? Here is a little about them from their site: "One Kings Lane partners with top brands and designers to give our members insider access to designer décor, entertaining and travel needs, food & wine, fantastic gift selections, and exclusive tag sales curated by today's top tastemakers – at up to 70% off retail."

The reason I like them is their referral program. $25 for each person that signs up under you and makes their first purchase. Then the $25 can be used for shipping too! When I signed up, it was a $15 credit just for signing up. You can find something that is priced around that amount, but sometimes you have to do some digging. I was able to buy some nice bamboo coasters that I gifted at Christmas using my referral credit.

If you're interested, here is my referral code: https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/KamaM

It's Just Like God...

It's Just Like God ...

... to make a beautiful sunrise when I think I can't stand another morning of gray skies.
... to give me a good night's sleep when I am utterly exhausted to my core.
... to speak peace to me through His Word when my world seems out of control.
... to place an encourager in my life when I feel useless.
... to bring fresh mercies every morning.
... to make beauty from ashes.
... to show me He cares in countless ways.
That's just how MY God is!

What blessings have you experienced lately?


Writer, speaker, teacher, blogger … Follower of the Risen Lord, Lover of one man, Momma to a beautiful daughter. Basically, just a girl who longs to encourage lives where the sacred and secular collide.   Offering daily encouragement for women at www.terilynneu.com

Favorite Cookbooks

 The Pioneer Woman Cooks

 Better & Homes and Garden New Cook Book

 Paula Deen Celebrates!

 Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

 Preserving Summer's Bounty

 Deceptively Delicious

 Joy of Cooking

The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook

And of course, my number one favorite, church cookbooks!

What are your favorite cookbooks?

Change Happens

Change … its inevitable isn’t it? Now, I’m not talking about changing diapers, changing clothes, changing your mind about what to cook for dinner or changing lanes but rather the bigger changes that come. To change jobs, to change locations, to change your lifestyle, to change churches, and even the changes of a woman’s body due to life growing within her belly are some of the bigger changes I am talking about. This was the lot of my husband and me nearly three years ago.

Family changes, as exciting as they can be, are also difficult transitions. We naively and if I am honest, we somewhat proudly, transitioned our little family of three into a section eight housing complex in East Dallas. ‘We can do it! God calls us to minister to the poor, right?’ Besides our zeal to love the poor, my husband was embarking on the exciting opportunity to receive a graduate degree from Redeemer Seminary. I had a whopping one year under my belt in mothering when we planned for our second child. So here we were, in a low-income, high crime neighborhood, and a predominately African American culture we knew nothing about, while sounds of a large unfamiliar city met us within our apartment walls. On top of that my hormones were having a party without me!  We were in need of a church home, in need of friends and desperately in need of God to be the lifter of our heads (Psalm 3:3). Yet, time seemed to pass annoyingly slow in regards to these desires coming true. Why?

Stressed, would be the first word to come to our minds when asked, “How are you doing?” I saw my husband wearisome battle the juggling of seminary studies, the high calling he took toward ministering to our community and his desire to be a godly husband and Daddy. All eyes were on us, we stood out, and we weren’t necessarily welcomed, thus, we were left worn down and confused.

Change… perhaps this change was made with wrong motives you say, or perhaps these choices look to you as decisions made by an immature couple, or maybe you’re laughing, perhaps even crying because you have made similar choices as well.  Even though your perceptions are partially right, there is another side to the reason we faced these transitions.  The truth is, these changes were also chosen and set with purpose but not by us. They were purposed with gentle grace and without mistake by One who has no marks of mistakes on Him.  Outwardly we centered our eyes on the changes all around us, while inwardly there was a lot more going on. We had high hopes to change the community, Jesus, had higher hopes of changing our souls.

We saw the the ugliness of anger, finger pointing, bitterness, ungratefulness, the see-saw of pride and self-pity, and even sinful silence rear their ugly heads more than we ever would have liked to admit. But, before we could explain how or even realize it was happening these two changes: the outward reality and inward need, began to blend together in the most mysterious yet magical way.

As we were being humbled inwardly God clearly led us outwardly toward the needs of the children around us. He helped us start an after-school program as well as a small bike repair program for at-risk kids living in our apartments… and would you know it? These children welcomed us and loved us back but not only that, over time their parent began to trust and love us as well! This didn’t come quickly and it didn’t turn into some pretty package over night for it still doesn’t have a nice little bow tied around it but changes were happening. Good and bad, they were happening.

We all struggle with patience, with loving one another, with blame shifting, with bitterness, we struggle with unbelief, with trust issues, with pain and how to handle it, with self-help efforts or coping means that never work and where are we left? Where are you left? Christian or not, we are only left to wallow in self-pity or pick ourselves up by our boot straps. Or is there a third option? Is there the option of something greater than ourselves, something higher than what the world offers, something beyond hoping another change in location will ‘work’, something that money has never been able to do, or a new relationship has ever been able to offer, is there an option for something that won’t leave us when we leave it over and over and over again?

Yes! This ‘something’ rides a horse with a robe dripping crimson, whose hand is held out strong and whose calls Himself, Faithful and True. This Man, named, The Christ, is in the business of saving people but He is also in the business of changing people. We need His covenant, His covering, His grace, and His working within us to change in big ways and even in teeny tiny ways. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him…” (Colossian 2:6- emphasis mine).  He is patient with us. He works gently and He works slowly. He knows what we can handle and so He knows what we can’t handle.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ, (Philippians 1:6). How we may long for Him to return and make all things right again, but how much more He must fervently and eagerly long for the day He returns to us! “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown…” Philippians 4:1

May you know more deeply His loving hand in the areas of change you are facing, for they were chosen and set with purpose for you too!

Changing with you, Emily Murphy

I'm Emily, a daughter of Christ Jesus and a wife to a handsome man named, Jack who recently graduated with a Masters Degree from Redeemer Seminary and who is entering the mission field of public teaching to Junior High Students. I am known as, Mommy, to Jackson (3) and Jonah (1) and in "all" my spare time, I am a self-growing and self-taught photographer and poet. I continue to be intrigued with the variety of art one can create by capturing moments in time through rays of light. Poetry is one of the most thrilling ways I find I can express myself and escape at the same time. Thank you for taking time to know me a little and to hear from my heart. To see more of my work please visit, http://pherophotographyandpoetry.blogspot.com
or to contact me please email me at,
pherophotos@yahoo.com
Gratefully,
                                                                          Emily Murphy

Take a Seat, Take a Seat, Take a Load Off Your Feet

My youngest has always liked bean bags. Had I been able to, I would have purchased him a huge bean bag years ago. But they always seemed so pricey and out of my range. It was something I simply tucked in the back of my brain thinking, maybe... one day. Recently a friend of mine showed me the bean bag she had made. I was so surprised and startled by what a good job and how "store bought" it looked. And that bag was sturdy! I can't count the times I saw it roll down the stairs. And yes, it rolled because it was that big. Her inspiration got my mind to thinking about that thought I had stuck in the back of my mind.

What if one day... was today?

Now, I will admit I was intimidated by the idea of making a bean bag. I wanted it sturdy. I wanted it large. Would it be something that I could do? After all, my seams are not straight, I do not make patterns, and mistakes are something I am always having to work around. Yet, I had to try. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

I found this pattern, but let me make it clear, I did not actually draw it on paper. I measured the length and width on the material and marked those points with a permanent pen. Then I took yarn and connected the points in a way that I was happy with the shape. Out came the pen again and then the scissors. In order to get the same basic shape for all the sides, and the inner bag pieces, I simply used the material I had cut before. You see, I wasn't exact. But the pieces were cut out, and then I sewed them together. I think one of the best things done in the making of the bean bag was the double seam. I would sew two pieces together, then I would sew that seam down. That made it a stronger seam, which wouldn't simply pull apart.

Let me tell you, the final product was put together well. I had to squash and squish the inner bag full of filling in order to stuff it into the outer bag. Either I stuffed the inner a little too full, or I didn't make the Velcro closure big enough, but there was a lot of stuffing and squishing going on. I did eventually get the two together, and I'm pretty sure if that didn't pop a seam then nothing will. This was the most hilarious part of it all, make no mistake. The most fun!

The final product was raved about by my youngest. I loved the way it turned out and so does he. It sits in the corner of his room perfectly as if the space was waiting for it to be filled with just that bean bag. Of course, he finds any reason to drag it into the family room as well. Even the dog loves it.

You don't have to be an expert seamstress to attempt something like this. My mantra is if I can do it anyone can. If you have always wanted a bean bag, for you or a child, go for it! If it's something else you have always wanted to give a go at, try it out. What is it going to hurt? And you may end up with exactly what you were hoping for.

The bean bag pattern I used, and where I got the foam filler. I purchased one 20lb bag and used it all for the bean bag in the picture.

Stacey Lozano regularly shares her latest craft endeavor and other parts of her day at My Unfinished Daze.

How Clean is Your Dishwasher?

I have always tried to keep a clean home. I look at it as my job and my duty. I just like things clean! There is one area of my home that until a couple years ago, I never really bothered to clean - the dishwasher. Don’t gross out if you are an avid dishwasher cleaner. I assumed that it was self-cleaning! It gets the dishes clean. Shouldn't it clean itself???

One day, I was reading blog posts and online articles about efficiently cleaning the home. One source had a list of cleaning duties in the kitchen and one item was the dishwasher. I thought this was crazy! (Again, I was under the impression that this was self-cleaning!) The next morning as I was unloading the dishwasher, I took a good hard look at the inside. Gross!!! How does that happen?? Ever since then, I have been an avid dishwasher cleaner!

Here is what my dishwasher after just 6 weeks from the last cleaning.

Gross, right? It is amazing how yucky these things can get. Even mine with the built in food disposal and extra something or another to get rid of the food gets really bad! That is why every month or so I grab some vinegar, baking soda and a microfiber cloth and start scrubbing.

1. Pour ½ cups of vinegar right into the bottom of the dishwasher and wipe with the cloth. If you need extra abrasion, sprinkle in some baking soda and make a paste.
2. Add vinegar right to the cloth to wipe down the sides and top of the machine. Again, add baking soda if you need it.
3. Wipe the rubber seal that goes around the door of the machine. Those get really mucky sometimes. Use a soft brush if you need it.
4. Don’t forget to wipe down the bottom of the machine door when the machine is open.
5. Add a cup of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher and run it empty on the hottest, shortest setting. I have heard of some people using lemon juice or a package of lemon Kool-aid for this step, too. The main idea is to use an acetic acid (vinegar) or citric acid (lemon) for a final clean.

You will be amazed at the difference in your dishwasher! Once you start cleaning regularly it will become easier and you will not skip cleaning this appliance!

Are you a avid dishwasher cleaner? Got any tips? Or are you like I was and assumed the dishwasher cleaned itself?

Marci Goodwin is wife to an amazing husband and mother to two phenomenal kids. She is on a quest to get the "busy" out of her life so she can spend time on what's really important. Marci can be found blogging at OvercomingBusy.com or on twitter @OvercomingBusy.

Good Deals This Week

Don't miss out on the FREE 10x13 Print from PictureMe Portrait Studios inside Walmart. Click on Free Deal of the Week on the right side if the coupon doesn't come up here. $29.98 value with no additional purchase necessary. Offer expires Feb. 22, 2011.

Also a great picture deal is available at snapfish. Get 100 4x6 pictures printed and shipped to your house for $5 before Sunday (2/20) by using code CUPIDPICS at checkout.

The Disney Store is offering free shipping on all orders this weekend only. Use code FREESHIP at check out.

The Proverbs 31 Woman...Can We Relate?

I have to admit, quite a few times I have found that I am quick to compare my self to the woman described in the last chapter of Proverbs. I mean seriously, she really seemed to have it all together. Not only was she deeply admired and praised by her husband and children, she maintained her home, had meals prepared for everyone including her servants {which I would just like someone to clean the bathrooms}, and went about her daily tasks whole heartily, though she was up to start her day, while it was still dark. Wait a minute, why should we even care, this woman is fictitious, she doesn't even exist, simply a list of character qualities for women, or is she?

In modern times she would be considered a real "super woman" or the "ideal wife and mother.” I have days where I never touch the laundry and to be honest, I take a few more liberties with my meals and food preparation then I should. I’m going to go out on a limb here, there are times when the baby is crying, my other children need help with their schoolwork, dinner needs to be made, my husband has just walked in the door, and I want to break down and cry. I strive to be this woman of Proverbs, yet I seem to fall short, no matter how hard I try.

   

The woman in Proverbs 31 feared the Lord, however not in the way our world views the concept of fear. It states in verse 30 “ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” When the bible states “fears the Lord,” it is referring to a sense of deeply rooted respect and love. 

This woman clearly loved God and honored Him by her devotion to her family. Hence placing the needs of her family, and those around her above her own.

   

As a mother, and a God fearing Christian wife, I have faith God will help me in my journey to become the “Proverbs wife” as I walk down this path. I encourage each of us to pray for one another, as I think we are going to need it. God is good and it is not always about the outcome but the journey to get there that shapes our lives. Faith, prayer, and more faith is what is on the “packing list” for the days ahead.

How do you view the woman of Proverbs 31? How do you apply the qualities described in the verses in your own life?

Cassie is a military wife and mom who blogs at Day of Bliss.

Home-Roasted Salmon

Why did I name this recipe "Home-Roasted Salmon"? Because most of the ingredients of this recipe remind me of home; and sometimes you just want something that reminds you of home and simple times.

1. Orange. I hail from central Florida, which just might be known for growing oranges. My Dad grew up picking oranges to make some spending money, my Papa has many different types of orange trees on his property. We know the freeze hits hard when it ruins the orange crop for that year. I remember sitting out with my Papa by the smoker (for fish) and cutting into the top of an orange and sucking the juice out of it. The proper way to eat an orange. This recipe has orange juice in the salmon glaze.

2. Fennel. Truly, I didn't eat fennel until a few years ago. But, the one thing everyone always said was that it tastes like licorice. And, wouldn't you know it, it does. My grandmother loves black licorice. That is what I always get her for Christmas. I used to get her twizzlers or something from Wal-mart, now that I'm a foodie, I get her really good black licorice. She could care less, and still enjoys it, well into her 80s. Her sight is failing, but her teeth still work just fine to chew on some licorice.

3. Salmon. My Dad LOVES salmon. I think he may eat too much salmon, with all the mercury and all. But, he got me hooked on it. When I went to Alaska in 2003 on a mission trip and tasted fresh wild caught Alaskan salmon right off the boat - I was hooked for LIFE. I was also spoiled. So, 8 years later, I am looking forward to going to Alaska with parents, and am looking forward to seeing my Dad eat fresh salmon right out of the Pacific for the first time.

This meal is simple and colorful, greatly displaying the beauty that God gives us in food. It is a simple lunch the way it is - or you can serve it cold over greens with the leftovers. Or you can serve it with a sweet pototo to make it more of a filling dinner. It is also good one however many people, because it is easily multiplied. I served it to myself and then will have one meal of leftovers.

Home-Roasted Salmon

1 small bunch beets (peeled, diced)

1 bulb fennel (sliced)

7-8 oz salmon fillet (wild alaskan caught is best if available)

1/4 cup orange juice

2 T olive oil

2 T balsamic vinegar

s/p

Preheat oven to 400. You can cook this all on one pan, too so it makes for easy clean-up.

Peel and chop beets (to get the red color off wash immediately). Slice fennel. Spread out on shallow roasting pan and drizzle with evoo and s/p. Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil. Place salmon skin side down on the foil. Mix together the juice, oil, and vinegar. Pour over the salmon and make a little pouch with the foil. Place on roasting pan.

Bake all of it for about 20-25 minutes until the desired doneness of the veggies and the salmon.

Plate. Make pretty using the fennel frawns and maybe some orange slices or beet greens.

Warrior Prayers

I'm excited today to tell you about an ebook from my friend Brooke that I believe will truly change your life--your prayer life.

I've known Brooke on-line for a while. We bonded quickly because our boys are about the same age. We both homeschool and talk back and forth about what's working (and not working) for us. What stuck with me most about Brooke was her passion for praying for her boys. She has encouraged me and challenged me to pray more for my boys. I even wrote about it last year here on Today's Housewife. It's because I know Brooke's passion for praying for her boys, and encouraging other moms to pray, that I'm excited to share her e-book, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most.

This is more than a book of prayers. Brooke wrote beautiful devotions to start each section that moms of boys can relate to and learn from. Then she moves into a prayer--a prayer you know she's whispered over her sleeping boys night after night. Brooke then lists verse after verse for you to pray for your son. There is power in praying the Word. Brooke knows from experience--and she wants you to know it too.

Because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer and the guidance of this ebook to pray Scripture over our sons, I would love to give a copy of her book to you! Just leave a comment and let me know one of your favorite verses to pray for your children. (You don't have to be a boy mom to love this book, check out girl-mom Teri Lynne's review!) The winner will be chosen at random and announced on this post Saturday morning (Feb.19th).


Giveaway winner: comment #3 from Heidi! Watch for an email from Today's Housewife Heidi!

Here's where you can purchase the book and read more from Brooke:

• Visit her blog and find out how to purchase the ebook for the low price of $5.97.
• Join us beginning April 1st as we pray for our sons for twenty-one days. Read more about it--21 Days of Prayer for Sons.
• Become a fan on Facebook of "Warrior Prayers" and get reminders each day to pray for your boys.
• Follow Brooke on Twitter and follow the hashtag #warriorprayers for even more encouragement.

The Bearded Hat

Once upon a time, Kama sent me the picture on this link. (The knit beard hat that can be found about the middle of this page.) She challenged me to recreate it in crochet. Ok, maybe she didn't realize she challenged me, but that is exactly what she did. You see, I am a rabid crocheter but I am in love with knit items. When I find something I like that is knit, my goal is to recreate it in crochet. It's not always possible, and my talent often finds me lacking, but sometimes it works out.

The first hat I made was huge. It ended up being a great prototype, but it would have been a horrible gift. I tried again, and hit it on the head. I actually created seven beard hats. My brother and brother in law each received one, and the rest went to Kama's family.

Seemingly, her family was thrilled with the result. So much so that when her brother was getting ready for his ski trip they contacted me to make another one.

Can I say, I have never had so much fun as when I made this hat. I never would have made something like this if they hadn't asked, and that is one of the reasons I love making things for other people. I get the opportunity to attempt new patterns and ideas. When they contacted me he asked for something fun. Something that would fly behind him as he went down the slope. My mind started racing.

I have seen some of the crazy ski hats that people wear when they go on the mountain. I'm not sure what it is, but when you put skis on your feet apparently you need to put something wild and funky on your head. Mixing some patterns, what I finally ended up with was this.

Ravelry is a website for knitters and crocheters. We share our projects and many talented artists share their patterns. In the creation of this hat I used different people's work for the main part of the hat, the curly-q's on top, and the moustache. The one part I created was the beard, which pulled it all together to create the ski hat we all imagined it could be.



Stacey Lozano regularly shares her latest craft endeavor
and other parts of her day at My Unfinished Daze.

Showing Love in Our Home

Happy Valentine's Day!

What are you doing for your sweetheart today? Making dinner? Going out? A nice present? A homemade card?

Can I suggest making your bed and cleaning the bathroom? I know. That sounds SO romantic, doesn't it? But stay with me for a minute. Have you considered what the state of your home says to your husband? How does it make him feel when he walks in every evening? I think the way we keep our homes sends a message to the way we feel about the relationships in our home.

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not advocating keeping a spotless home at the expense of all your other responsibilities. But there are lots of ways you communicate love through your home.

Think about your master bedroom. How many of us never get around to cleaning it up? People coming over never see it, so its the last place you worry about picking up clutter and dusting. But really, its the space that belongs exclusively to you and your husband. It should be a sanctuary for you both. Simply making your bed and cleaning the bathroom counter could be acts of love for your spouse.

Or consider the foyer or area that he sees immediately when he walks in your home in the evening. Having the kids pick up their scattered toys can make him feel much more relaxed when he walks in the door after a long day at work. No one wants to walk through a maze of lego pieces, cars and puzzles just to see their family.

I'm not suggesting that we drop everything to keep spotless houses. Sometimes "messy" is what life looks like, especially when your days are like mine and filled with puzzles and games and dirty little fingerprints everywhere. But we all make choices with our time and energy. Consider taking 5-10 minutes out of your day to love your husband by making the bed or cleaning up that pile of clothes in your room.

Are You a BzzAgent?

According to the website, "BzzAgent is a social marketing company that accelerates word of mouth to drive sales. Powered by a network of over 750,000 people, BzzAgent creates measurable business results for marketers through an influential advocate network, a powerful engagement platform, and a proven analytics approach. BzzAgent has been at the vanguard of word of mouth marketing since 2001, running more than 1,500 programs for global companies including Unilever, Wrigley, L’Oreal, and Michelin."

I signed up to be a BzzAgent a few years ago thanks to KLee's recommendation. Joining is free. I get to try products and services at no cost with samples and coupons. Then I make my voice heard by sharing my honest opinions with others, including some of the largest companies in the world. I have tried all kinds of products like mascara, Gerber Graduates snacks, craft glue, food storage containers and many other things. All for free!!

Want to learn more and sign up to join in the fun?