The other morning I wanted to have a special time with my oldest son drinking hot chocolate with breakfast and reading his children's Bible. I had built up in my mind a beautfiul time that he would think was so neat. So I made the (warm) hot chocolate, got breakfast ready, and woke up my precious boy to have our special breakfast. Well, like his daddy the little guy is not so fond of being woken up. He also likes a little time to "transition", not just get rushed to the table. So, my plans were getting a little off, but I still forged ahead. Then we sat down at the table, and I offered him the hot chocolate out of a "big boy" cup, anticipating an excited response. Imagine my surprise when we turned his head in refusal. Undaunted, I got a straw to lure him to try the unknown treat. That was met with a classic, movie-style spitting out of the hot chocolate all over my nice, cream-colored robe. At that point I was a little upset, didn't he know what he was missing? This was a special time I had planned after all! The Lord stopped me in my tracks to remind me of my goal - to provide one-on-one time where we could have fun and create a good memory. So, I regrouped and let him lead the way. After he was fully awake, he was excited about his time with mommy with no little brother, we read his Bible, and had a great time. I am just continually reminded that my planning and controlling seldom work out as I expect. When I release my plans and my control, however, God is free to work and accomplish great things.
Delicious and easy scone recipe
Inspired by Sally Clarkson's exhortation to bring "civility" into our worlds at home with tea times and beautiful things, I have been trying my hand at scones lately. My friend Carolynne, who actually lived in England for many years, shared her recipe with me and it is wonderful. This is an easy recipe, and if I am able to make it successfully anyone is. The only tool you need is a pastry cutter, and if you don't have one they are at Target. Here is the recipe:
Cranberry Lemon Scones
2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 tablespoons chilled butter
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 tsp grated lemon peel
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon sugar - set aside
Buttermilk: I just measure regular milk or 2% and squeeze in about 1 tsp of lemon juice and let it sit . . . I don't buy a whole carton of buttermilk for this :0)
Combine the flour, the 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt.
Cut in the butter until crumbly.
Stir in dried cranberries and lemon peel.
Pour in the buttermilk and stir with a fork until the mixture hold together. Gather the dough into a ball and gently knead a few times on floured surface.
Pat out dough into an 8" circle and cut into 8 wedges. Or use a biscuit cutter to make round scones.
Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet and brush the top with a little milk and sprinkle with the 1T sugar before baking.
Bake at 425 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes. I would check at 12 minutes!
Serve warm.
Enjoy!
Calling the Big Bad Credit Card Company
After reading David Bach's Start Late Finish Rich, I decided I needed to take his advice to negotiate a better rate on a credit card. This was an account that we had transferred a balance to at a 0% promotional rate. Because of a late fee, the rate changed to 27%. Yes, 27% As I analyzed our monthly expenses I just prayed that I would be able to reduce our finance charge by $50. So, with fear and trepidation I called Discover Card, and received one of the nicest reps you can imagine. While I couldn't resume the 0% rate, she was able to give us a permanent rate of 10.99%. That will save us just over $60 to start with, and obviously as we pay off the card the finance charge will be whittled away at. What a blessing! I'd much rather keep my $60 then give it to Discover! So, if you have heard on tv to try to negotiate a better rate, I strongly advise you to call your credit card company. David Bach recommends speaking with a supervisor if you can't get help, and to just keep calling back until it is done. I recommend just being humble and honest, as that is always the way to get the best service!
Generic soda
I remember as a kid being so embarrassed when my mom would buy generic soda for any gatherings where I would have friends in attendance. I was so worried about pleasing those people, and now I can honestly only remember one or two of their names. My parents were always frugal without being cheap. For example, we might have generic soda and mom bought a lot of our clothes at a store that used to be called "Smitty's", but they were always generous in taking family members out to eat. My dad would absolutely never go through a drive-thru for a soda (there are drinks at home), but he is always a generous tipper. Now, these many years later I see how my parent's decisions have paid off. All of those things that embarrassed me or made me feel like I was being deprived of somethings I can now see as wisdom. My parents never bought me a pair of Guess jeans, however they sent me to music camp. I never received any pair of shoes more expensive than $30, but they paid for my college tuition, room and board. Now they are entering into a comfortable retirement without the worries of so many of their contemporaries. I will not have the burden of financial responsibility of my parents as they age, as they have planned for their future. I think that was worth occasionally drinking generic soda! I actually just polished off a can of Safeway's store brand root beer, and I have to tell you it was really good!
Frugal is not a dirty word
Deciding to spend our money on purpose and not frivolously is sometimes a difficult choice. Saying no to things that others are enjoying can feel like deprivation, and since credit is so handy it can be easy to give in. Here is an excerpt from an excellent article at - http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/. " I think it’s important to understand that frugality is not a dirty word. In fact, frugality is a valuable skill for building wealth.
In The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley and William Danko collected and analyzed data from surveys of more than 1,000 millionaire households. They concluded:
What are three words that profile the affluent? Frugal frugal frugal. Webster’s defines frugal as “behavior characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources.” The opposite of frugal is wasteful. We define wasteful as a lifestyle marked by lavish spending and hyper-consumption. Being frugal is the cornerstone of wealth-building. … [Millionaires] become millionaires by budgeting and controlling expenses, and they maintain their affluent status the same way.
Frugality means choosing to make the most of your money, to focus on everyday costs, to recognize that small amounts matter. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a skill that nearly anyone can practice, and it lays the groundwork for sound financial habits that can be used throughout your life. Frugality keeps you focused on goals." So well put! Doesn't it just make frugality seem so wise! I have thrown away so much money over the years by not being focused on the details and this inspires me to really take control of the money we spend. Remember, it is a much bigger gift to a child to learn financial responsibility than to get another toy that will be forgotten next week. As the holidays approach make this your gift to your child - put nothing on credit! If they learn that lesson that is a lifelong gift.
Delicious moist pumpkin bread recipe
Always on the prowl for good desserts, I came across this recipe for pumpkin bread that is irresistible. Basically it is a modified version of the Fannie Farmer cookbook version. This is the type of thing I could polish off by myself in one sitting, so I think next time I will try doubling (or quadrupling) the recipe. Here it is:
1 1/2 c. flour
dash of salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 c sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree
1/4 c olive oil mixed w/ 1/4 c vegetable oil or canola
2 eggs - beaten
1/4 c water
nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice to taste
chopped nuts to taste
Preheat overn to 350 degrees
Combine flour, salt, sugar and soda
Mix pumpkin, oils, eggs, water and spices today, then combine with the dry ingredients. Do not overmix. Add nuts.
Pour into greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 40-50 minutes until cake tester or toothpick comes out clean. Turn out of pan and let cool.
Enjoy! This is a great way to get those delicious scents in your home as we come closer to Thanksgiving.
Gray hair
I noticed in the mirror this morning a new crop of gray hairs waiting to be covered with my Natural Instincts color du jour. I was thinking about how the past few years have been wonderful but also have taken a toll. Two stressful pregnancies, two children, working in the real estate boom (and then not working in the slump), my husband starting his own business . . . gray hairs were only a matter of time! I was thinking of Proverbs 16:31 that talks about gray hairs being a "crown of glory", and I pray that I embrace maturing instead of trying to cling to youth. That said, I will definitely be coloring my hair this week, and I pulled out the night cream!
As some of you know, Malinda and I are embarking on the adventure of trying to start a business of natural body care products - scrubs, lotions, hand cream, etc. This was born out of a desire to ensure our ability to stay at home with our kids, and I think also because it is fun to have a place to use one's talents outside of the home as well. Tied to all of this is our passion for encouraging families and especially women that are also in our station of life. In our posts you will see tips for spending your money "on purpose" and with a plan, great recipes, kid's activities and general musings. I hope you will be blessed! Read Malinda's welcome post to hear of her plans and desires as well.
How does this relate to my pesky gray hairs? Taking on one more thing , especially something as grand as starting a business is something that could easily add more gray to my "crown of glory". As friends and family I would love your prayers and ideas as this venture begins! - Barbara