It's All Under Control ~ Or Is It? Book Review!

Wow! It’s All Under Control by Jennifer Dukes Lee is a gift. For anyone who has ever struggled with control - or not even struggled with control, but just failed to give God control, you will want to read this book. Honestly, I thought Jennifer might have looked directly at me and written this book about me. It was a breath of fresh air as Jennifer shared that’s its ok to be a strong leader and work hard to care for those around us!  It’s ok to do what God has called you to do! However, God has also called for balance. I am confident this book will resonate with many women today. 

Perhaps the most enlightening part is when Jennifer shares that you do want to care for others. You do want to help them. And your motives are genuine. They flow from love. However, sometimes that love can turn into control.  Jennifer shares, “there’s a fine line between unhealthy control and healthy control and that line is drawn with the pen of good intentions.”  Amen sister!  

Jennifer also shares that “When we begin to follow Jesus, we relinquish that control. But we constantly try to steal it back because we think we’ll be safer if we ate in control”. Oh momma, how many many times have you felt this way????

This definitely was a pen book. What do I mean by that?  Well once I start a book I need to decide if I am going to write in it or not. After the first chapter, I knew I needed to have a pen handy. At all times. It was definitely a book to underline!  

Jennifer takes you on a journey of looking at your motives, your choices, your heart, and your faith. She also offers resources both in the book and online. (At the time of this review they were not yet available online. However I can’t wait until they are). A Bible study is also available to accompany this study!  It’s going on my to do list!  Wait, Jennifer shares how to handle that to do list as well! How to give it to Jesus! Daily. 

I could share many quotes from It's All Under Control. However, in order to keep this review manageable, I will spare the reader. Instead I’ll encourage you to check out Jennifer’s whit, humor, personal stories, practical advice and insight and read It's All Under Control for yourself. 

I am thankful for the opportunity to read It’s All Under Control. I was given a free copy for my honest review. 

Visit Jennifer Dukes Lee here

Delivery!

Around Christmas time I decided to start leaving water bottles and snacks for our delivery people.  FedEx, UPS, the mail carrier, the dry cleaners, etc.  I just try to keep snacks supplied in the bucket. Over winter this was just fine. Water bottles would even freeze. 

Then summer came! I wanted to keep it up but had no clue how. Then I decided to freeze a few water bottles. Anytime I know ~ or think I know ~ a package is coming I put out a frozen water bottle.  

Imagine my surprise today when I got this note.  

This really touched me because I know that delivery people are under a tight schedule. They must keep moving and don't have excess time to write notes. However, this driver took the time to write a note!

I realize this may not work for everyone. We have a great space for leaving packages.  I appreciate it when the delivery people take the time to do their job well.  I would encourage you to look for ways to bless those around you!

The Struggle IS Real ~ Book Review

The struggle is real! We often hear that hash tag today and can easily use that phrase to describe significant and insignificant life circumstances. In the book The Struggle Is Real,  Nicole Unice looks at the many struggles Christians face today. She uses her background in counseling to address those struggles. She related our story - including the story of our perception versus the story that actually happened and how we can rewrite that story. Unice uses many examples from her years of ministry and counseling to draw on her wisdom for The Struggle Is Real. She shares how to have freedom in Christ and get into a freedom cycle. 

Honestly, this book was not what I expected. I was hoping for more personal stories from the author but instead it was harder to follow than I had hoped. The author does share that she does give more examples and expands on her book in the Bible study that accompanies the book. For me, the struggle was real to hang in there and finish the book! I’m not sure if it’s Unice’s counseling background that lost me or if I just was hoping for more personalized stories. It would be interesting to see if the Bible study is more relatable. I was given a free copy of The Struggle Is Real for my honest review. 

College Packing List

Well, last year I did it! I sent my baby off to college. I had searched and searched for a college packingg list. I compiled and compiled. Here's what worked for us! Note: I didn't take many cleaning supplies! His dorm was not clean when we took him to college! So that got added at the end! 😀

College Packing List:

2 sets twin XL sheets

1 twin XL mattress pad

mattress topper

laundry bag or basket

drying rack

trash can

bags for trash can

fans

computer

surge protector

desk lamp

parking pass

Lysol or Clorox wipes

Laundry detergent 

Oxyclean

Any food you want

Bowls/plates

Waterbottle

Water filter pitcher

Safe

Key for safe 

Command hooks

Shower caddy

Clip on light for your bed

Hangers

Books

School supplies

Pens

Pencils

Paper

Backpack

Insurance card

Clothing

Retainer

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Body wash

Shampoo

Driver’s license

Pillows

Blankets

Shower shoes

Cell phone

Storage for under your bed

Extension cord

Headphones

Charger cord for phone

Any medicine you need

Post it notes

Stapler

Wallet

Batteries

Umbrella

Towels (3)

Washcloth (3)

Rug for at your bed

Rubber bands

Paper towels 

Sunscreen

Ziploc bags

Silverware

Dish soap

Refrigerator magnets

Stain spray

Scissors

Tape

White out

Noteooks

Notebook paper

Tape measure (to see if something will fit in a space!)

Zip ties

Extension cord

Command poster strips to hang up white board, etc.

Lanyard/keychain

Small organizer bins (for desk drawers)

Bandaids

Dustpan & brush

(optional broom or vac)

Cleaning supplies (just in case the dorm room is not clean!)

Start With Praise...Book Review

I had the unique opportunity to preview the brand new book Start with Praise by Sally Burke and Cyndie Claypool De Neve.  What a joy it was to read Start With Praise.

However, you must know the book is not just about praise as I thought it was going to be! This book is about the four steps of prayer based on the Lord’s Prayer!

Throughout this book, Sally and Cyndie take you on a forty day journey of learning how to pray as Jesus prayed!  Start With Praiseis filled with stories and practical examples using these four steps.  

The first ten days focus on having a heart of praise when you pray. The next ten days are focused on confession and then a ten day focus of Thanksgiving. The book concludes with ten days concentrating on intercession. Often, when we pray, we tend to focus all our time on intercession! Using this book as a tool will help you develop your prayer life into a time of not just asking God for your needs but also praising who He is, confessing to Him and thanking Him.

Some may recognize Sally Burke from her role at Moms In Prayer International. Sally draws on her experience at Moms In Prayer to help readers understand and appreciate the power of prayer.

Start With Praiseis an excellent resource on prayer. I was given a free copy of Start With Praisefor my honest review, but would have purchased it anyway as it is an great book!

Summer Salsa

This is the BEST salsa ever! Thanks to my sister-in-law for the recipe! 

2 (15 oz.) cans black beans (rinsed and drained)

2-3 diced tomatoes

1 onion, diced

2 peppers, diced

1 cucumber, diced

1 zucchini, diced

2 cups corn (using some that you froze off the cobb is best!)

1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. or so cilantro

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Store in refrigerator. 

Note: Feel free to add more or less vegetables based on what you have! I usually do not follow the recipe for the veggies for this recipe! I do make this year round!

Funeral Lemonade

Funeral Lemonade

Well, this needs some explaining!

This lemonade is so good and has a ridiculous amount of sugar. That's probably why it's so good. But why is it called funeral lemonade? Because my church serves it at funerals!!!

The lady from church who gave me the recipe said to "just dump ingredients in".  I prefer to measure!

Mix to make one gallon  Country Time Lemonade 

1 cup sugar (more or less to taste, I stick with 1 cup. I know it’s a LOT!)

1 orange sliced

1/2 lemon sliced

Mix lemonade mix and sugar together in a gallon pitcher.  Add some water and stir. Add some more water (to make a gallon) and stir well.  Add in lemon slices and orange slices.

This lemonade is best if it sits for a little to blend flavors.

Variations:

Add more lemons or oranges.

Add orange juice instead of the oranges.

Serve in a pretty jar and you have some great lemonade!

I'll leave it up to you if you want to call it funeral lemonade!

7 Day Pickles!

This year, for the first time in a LONG time, I decided to make 7 day pickles.

For all your mommas out there, please know that for MANY years this just was not do-able! And quite frankly, after all the time and energy it really is cheaper to buy them in the store! BUT, my daughter loves growing pickles and I had this recipe from about 25 years ago, so I decided to make them!

I'm proud to say that canning methods came back to me after all those years! But, before I get too proud, please know that first batch I made of these should have been called 8-day pickles and the second batch should have been called 6-day pickles! (OPPS!)

7 lbs. pickles washed
8 cups sugar
4 cups cider vinegar
2 TBS pickling spice
2 tsp. salt (I don't usually add salt in any recipe)

Wash pickles. Put in a clean crock or bucket (something that can withstand boiling water). Boil water and pour over pickles. Do this on Day 1. Then empty water and boil new water for Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4. On Day 5 slice pickles. Make a syrup of 4 cups vinegar, 8 cups sugar, 2 TBS pickling spice, and 2 tsp. salt.  Bring to a boil. Pour over pickle slices. For Day 6 drain the sugar mixture and boil the sugar mixture. Pour over pickle slices.

Day 7: Boil entire contents - pickles and sugar mixture together.

In the meantime - make your mason jars hot. I put mine in a 300 degree (or 250 degree) oven.  Boil your lids (not rings) for your mason jars and put you canner filled with hot water on the stove (enough to cover the jars) to boil.

When everything is ready, take a hot jar, fill with pickles and syrup (check the rim of the jar first for cracks - run your finger over it. If it's smooth you are good to go.).  Take a spatula and put it down the side to get air bubbles out.  Wipe rim clean. Place a hot lid on the jar. Fill up 6 jars (that's how many you can probably put in your canner).

Put bands on the jars.  Process in boiling water in canner for 10 minutes. Once you take the jars out you may hear a popping noise. Make sure all lids stay down (If you push the middle they should not spring up).  Remove bands.  Store to enjoy another day!

Boiling syrup and cucumbers

Processing in the canner

Sealed and ready to enjoy later!

Norwex VS. Young Living

Ok, so this is a post I didn't think I'd write. But I just write them as they come.

Norwex vs. Young Living

First, I am a HUGE Norwex fan. Like really I love the stuff.  I use Young Living, but I have to admit it IS expensive. I know...you save on other stuff. Well, some days I'm not convinced.  

So I love to thrift shop and yard sale. I found this cooler for $5. I asked if they would take $3. They said yes. I was nearing the end of my yard sale time and seriously only had $2. They took it.  

I'm going to assume the cooler was used for marine purposes. If it was something else - no need to let me know. I'll just keep on assuming.

I brought it home, all excited to fix it up and had a use for it.  

First order of business was to order replacement latches. Thank you Amazon.  ✅

Next order of business was to clean the cooler.

Thank you new pressure washer.  ✅

Wait. ✅

The pressure washer didn't work. Seriously? So I thought, "Ok, I'll soak it in clorox". However my husband first suggested bathroom tile clearer. We did both. No such luck.

I just let it sit and then finally decided to tackle it. (Clorox and water in a cooler will apparently attract and kill flies. Who knew?) I planned on using my Norwex cleaning paste.  But, just for fun, I thought I'd mix up a recipe I had printed from Young Living.  I asked my daughter which she thought would do better. She (without hesitation) said Young Living. I however, knew the Norwex cleaning paste would win.

And so it began! Fortunately I remembered to take a before photo!!

Ready to start cleaning! This is a mess!

So I started with the Norwex! Which I knew would win.  

This is after using Norwex and a LOT of elbow grease. I decided it wasn't worth the elbow grease!

I then decided to mix up the Young Living past using these ingredients.

The showdown. (Photo compliments to my 9 year old. Can you tell?

This was the side I started with for the Young Living mix.

This is me. Adding elbow grease. Either way it took a LOT but the Young Living mix definitely took less.

Almost done. But still needed some more work.  The Young Living mixture was amazing!!!! Don't be fooled though it still took elbow grease. I did need to mix up another half batch and then another half batch. The second time I mixed the liquid ingredients first and then added the baking soda.  That made more of a paste. 

Almost done but I was determined to get the ring around the top where the lid rested clean. 

Finally done!  Was it worth it? The satisfaction of a job well done definitely was! Would it have been cheaper to purchase a new one? Hmmmmm....maybe.

The mix I used:

1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup Thieves household cleaner
1 tsp distilled white vinegar
10 drops lemon oil 

Combine in a glass bowl- texture will be like a paste. Store in an air right container and best if used within 3 months. Note: Mix liquid ingredients first then add baking soda!

Go here to start using Young Living and purchase the Thieves and Lemon Oil!

The Blessing of Blessing

 Many years ago I knew someone very well who worked for the township road crew. Through this experience I have learned the importance of blessing those who work on the road crew. Please note this applies to pretty much everyone we come in contact with!!!  However in order to keep it simple and real, this is one specific way to bless those who work for the road crew.

 To clarify I am talking about your local township (city, or boro) men and women who work on repairing the roads, plowing snow, cleaning out side gutters, painting lines, etc.

 This idea was further reinforced by Karen Ehman in her book Listen Love Repeat.

 When I see the road crew working nearby, I will either head to the grocery store quickly (if time allows) or try to plan ahead for the next day. I will stock up on drinks, cups (that I hopefully have on hand anyway) and possibly any other treats that I may want to give them.   Then I simply stop, and deliver them the cool refreshing drinks and treats. They especially appreciate this when they are working on a hot road, pouring blacktop on an extremely hot summer day!

 I just do this whenever time allows or God presents the opportunity.

 What I’m going to share next must be understood that it is definitely not my motive! This just happened as a byproduct of many times of stopping to deliver treats to the road crew.

 A few weeks ago our road bank needed mowed. I kept wanting to call the township and let them know that, when they had to chance it would be nice if they could mow it.  Sidenote: I completely understand they are busy and  I am the last person to ask for something, but this was a safety concern.

 I happened to be driving past the township maintenance building, and decided I would just stop in instead of calling to ask them to mow the road bank. So I stopped in and tried to find someone who was in charge. Before I knew it several of the guys are like,  “Aren’t you the lady on (such and such a) road? You bring the snacks!”  I said, “Absolutely! Let me know when you are coming again and I will make sure to have something for you” In fact one gentleman even remembered my first name. I was shocked!

 So, the next time you see the local township road crew think about considering getting them something small and just thanking them for their time and service! And don't hesitate to see who else you can share kindness with!