Macaroni & Cheese Pasta

Ingredients

4 Cups Milk

1/2 Cup Butter

1 {16 oz} pkg. Penne {wheat}

1 tbsp chopped parsley

2 Cups heaving whipping cream, divided

1 tbsp. Salt

2 Cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Paprika

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 13x9 baking dish.

In a dutch oven combine milk, 1 Cup cream, butter and salt.

Add Pasta; cook for 12 mins. stirring frequently.

Remove from heat; Add 1 Cup parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese is melted.

Spoon pasta mixture into prepared greased baking dish.

Pour remaining 1 Cup Cream over pasta. Top with remaining 1 Cup cheese.

Evenly sprinkle Parsley and paprika over top of cheese.

Bake for 20 mins. until brown and bubbly.

{This recipe was given to me by my Granny who is an excellent cook}

I'm linking this recipe to these fab. link parties:

and

Tip Me Tuesday and Today's Creative Blog

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Unwasted Homemaking Party #5

Unwasted Homemaking Linkup #5 is here! I've really love how we have been having more projects every week! I enjoy getting new ideas for the homemaking area and meeting new bloggers! The following are two of the links I wanted to share from last week.

Toddler Poncho Tutorial

Rhinestone and Sequin Butterfly Hair Clip Tutorial

Get ready to party {Homemaker's style}. If your a blogger...

Please copy the code under the 'Unwasted Homemaking Linkup Party' to the right of this post and place it somewhere on your blog. {I want to make sure we continue to grow this party :)}

Keep it related to Homemaking... which only excludes a few things. Any recipe, family tradition, devotional on homemaking/mothering, cleaning tip, craft etc.

Link to your specific post and not your website domain.

Linkup as many posts as you want! No Limit!

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8 Valentine Wreath Tutorials

I've put together a listing of 8 Valentine Wreath Tutorials from all over bloggy land! Check them out to find one that you might want to fix for your home!

1. Pretty in Pink

2.Cockscomb Valentine Wreath

3. Fabric Heart Wreath

4. Rustic Valentine Wreath

5. Sweetheart Wreath

6. Felt Heart Valentine Wreath

7. Pink Rose ValentineWreath

8. Lima Bean Wreath

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Praising our Man

The Hubs :)


A 25 Day Praise Plan is going on over at Women Living Well Blog in honor of the approaching Valentine's Day. Each week {leading up to V-Day} the same challenge will be set to praise, inspire, encourage, buildup, thank and appreciate our husbands. The deal is that although the same challenge is for each week, each week a suggestion will be made in how to express the praise/love to our husbands in a different way.

I'm starting a week late so this week's challenge is to be creative with our praise. We are supposed to give our praise as a surprise. Write him a note and send it with his lunch, write a love note and put it on the mirror etc.

Here's my idea.... we are supposed to get more snow tonight so I'm planning on using the 'Color Paint Idea' to paint my backyard saying, 'I <3>! Simple, yet it's hopefully going to look colorful against the white snow! His birthday is this weekend and we are making plans to travel to be with our family so I plan to brag on him in front of everyone {TrUsT me this man deserves it}!

I'm excited about this 'Praise Plan' because as Courtney points out we have a tendency to be selfish around Valentine's Day and want it to be about us but, I really do want to be selfless and show my husband how excited I am to be his bride!

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Hoo am I?

I've not participated in a 'Hoo are you' for a while but, I thought I would this week... I like letting you learn new things about me and me about you {please answer some of these in the comments}!

1. Do you wear glasses or contacts, if so for how long?
I've began wearing glasses 7 months ago and contacts for about a month {still trying to like them}.

2. What was your favorite board game as a kid?
Operation & Candy Land

3. What is a word that you use all the time?

Odie {it's a family word that we use ALL the TIME}

4. What is your favorite day of the week?

Saturdays because the kids don't have school and we can have fun all day!

5. Did you graduate high school from the town you grew up in?

Yup... Once I turned four I moved and didn't move again until I got married :)! Since being married I've moved 4 times!

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Storm Descending

image via

"I can see the storm descending on the hill tonight
Tall trees are bending to your will tonight
Let the mighty bown down
At the thundering sound of Your voice

And I know You hear the cries of every soul tonight
You see the teardrops as they roll tonight
Down the faces of saints
Who grow weary and faint in Your fields

And I am standing in the stillness of the reckoning
The storm is past and rest is beckoning
Might God, how I fear You
How I long to be near You, O Lord"

This song is such an encouragement during trials that we face. The three stanzas are only a small portion of the entire song, 'Reckoning' but, these are my favorite. When you are entering a trial you can almost see it coming, your senses tell you something is coming upon you just as the storm clouds gather right before a great storm. Then, you are in it, you are surrounded by gushes of wind which bring debris swirling around you, hail which resound noises that the worst is upon you. Sirens are going off and you seek shelter.

Is this not the same when trials are present in our lives? Do we not enter a trial {sometimes with warning and sometimes suddenly} and find ourselves surrounding by tons of debris coming full force at us? Debris which bang against us and dare to leave us hopeless? We must seek shelter in Christ. We must trust the Words of Life which tell us over and over that God is for us and not against us and that He is working even this situation out for our good. Then, we can remain in our shelter, peaceful and calm, no matter what is going on around us, we can remain because we know these wonderful Truths.

Sisters, know that God does hear our cries and sees the tears when we are amidst a trial. When we are growing weary and fainting in His fields, He knows and He cares. Also, remember how many times He has brought you through storms and that soon you will be able to say that you are 'standing in the stillness of the reckoning' and that the storm has past and rest is becoming your new place.

Music Lyrics: Andrew Peterson ,Counting Stars Album: The Reckoning (How Long)

Linking this: Good Morning Girls

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Unwasted Homemaking Linky Party #4

Unwasted Homemaking Linkup #4 is here! Ladies, you have been linking up some fabulous stuff! The following are two of the links I wanted to share from last week.

End Table Redo

Cabinet Makeover

Get ready to party {Homemaker's style}. If your a blogger...

Please copy the code under the 'Unwasted Homemaking Linkup Party' to the right of this post and place it somewhere on your blog.

Keep it related to Homemaking... which only excludes a few things. Any recipe, family tradition, devotional on homemaking/mothering, cleaning tip, craft etc.

Link to your specific post and not your website domain.

Linkup as many posts as you want! No Limit!

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Winter Activities

1. Snow Paint {Learn how to 'color' your Snow}

2. Snow Mosaic {Make a beautiful mosaic of your kids}

3. Wrap Race {Host a Snowman Race}

4. Bathtub Snow {Bring the Snow fun indoors for the little ones}

I know I’m from Kentucky and I probably haven’t received nearly the amount of snow as the ladies from the North but, we’re getting snow every week! This means lots of time indoors for the kids. Just in case anyone is running out of ideas to do on these indoor days I’ve found a few ideas floating around bloggy land and thought you might enjoy! Be sure and add your suggestions to the comment section!

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Weekend Laughs

I found this video the other night and had to share it. Yes, I understand that this is making fun of women drivers attempting to park but seriously, I could see myself doing most of these parking jobs.

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Unwasted Homemaking Linky Party #3

I'm excited about Unwasted Homemaking Linkup #3! Thanks to everyone who linked up last week, I enjoyed visiting each blog and getting new ideas for my home. The following are two of the links I wanted to share from last week.

$8 Ruffle Curtain Tutorial

A Scarf of My Own

Get ready to party {Homemaker's style}. If your a blogger...

Please copy the code under the 'Unwasted Homemaking Linkup Party' to the right of this post and place it somewhere on your blog.

Keep it related to Homemaking... which only excludes a few things. Any recipe, family tradition, devotional on homemaking/mothering, cleaning tip, craft etc.

Link to your specific post and not your website domain.

Linkup as many posts as you want! No Limit!

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Fondue Fun

I love having a 'Fondue' night at the house. I break out my 'melting pot' pour in the chocolate, slice up the fruit and enjoy with the family.

For years I have used the regular chocolate bark and chocolate chips but, recently I began using Sugar Free Chocolate icing. I love it all the same {even more knowing it's not going to rocket my blood sugar levels}.

What things do you like to dip your fondue in? I like all the above fruits plus cherries and apples and my husband likes to add Peeps!

Linking this to:

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Unwasted Homemaking Linkup #2

I'm excited about Unwasted Homemaking Linkup #2! Thanks to everyone who linked up last week, I enjoyed visiting each blog and getting new ideas for my home. The following are two of the links I wanted to share from last week.

Spice Drawer Re-do

No Sew Pluto Travel Pillow

Get ready to party {Homemaker's style}. If your a blogger...

Please copy the code under the 'Unwasted Homemaking Linkup Party' to the right of this post and place it somewhere on your blog.

Keep it related to Homemaking... which only excludes a few things. Any recipe, family tradition, devotional on homemaking/mothering, cleaning tip, craft etc.

Link to your specific post and not your website domain.

Linkup as many posts as you want! No Limit!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

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Homemaker's Gifts

Here are my favorite 'Homemaking' gifts I received for Christmas...


Cheese Grater
Although this isn't the exact brand I was given at Christmas in theory it's the same. The neat thing about this cheese grater is that it has an attachment at the bottom which collects the cheese. You can then store the cheese in the attachment.

Mixer

I have definitely needed this! I purchased a hand mixer upon marrying the hubs but, I didn't buy a very good one so it had the inclination to short out every time I used it. This caused me to mix everything by hand which can become tiring when you have to mix pizza dough for 15 minutes! The brand I received was a Sunbeam MixMaster I haven't had any problems out of it!

Cupcake Maker

This cute accessory makes 8 mini muffins/cupcakes in 5 minutes! It’s a quick way to crank out tasty muffins in the morning.

Carpet Shampooer

This was another excellent purchase for my dirty carpets! The brand is Bissell and it was purchased at Wal-Mart.

What Homemaking gifts did you gals receive or give?


images: Cheese Grater, Mixer/Shampooer, Cupcake Maker

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Ungrateful

I read an article this morning that made me stand still. It caused me to contemplate my actions and moved me towards repentance. It’s a very simple, yet overlooked sin: Ungratefulness. Dr. Russell Moore was featured on The Resurgence site with an article titled, "Why I'm Ungrateful."

Dr. Moore gives a scenario which happens to us moms nearly everyday and how to deal with the ungratefulness. He talks about how we have seasons of fasting and praying for something specific {spouse, kids etc} yet, we rarely spend seasons of thanksgiving after we have what we spend hours praying for. The thing we wanted becomes apart of the daily routines and it's easy to not view it as a blessing.

This is only an appetizer to the article, head on over to The Resurgence to read it in full! Pin It Now!

Banning Atheist ads... a good thing?

Do you recall the uproar in the news when Atheists were buying bus advertisements to promote their worldview? Due to these ads several pastors called for Christians to boycott the transportation until they were removed. As of January 1, 2011, all religious ads were banned from the busses in the Fort Worth area. Yes, that's right the Christians succeeded in stopping the Atheist ads and promotion but, they also succeeded in their views not being allowed in ads as well.

Dr. Albert Mohler {president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, aka where my husband is studying for his M.Div.} wrote a very articulate article on this issue at hand.

"By precipitating (and, of all things, celebrating) a ban on all religious messages from this public space, these Christians surrendered Gospel opportunities simply because they were offended by an atheist advertisement. No wonder the atheists clapped."

Click here to read the entire article, it will be well worth your time!

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Matchbox Makeover

Here's an easy way to dress up your matchbox! I initially made these to add to candle gifts for Christmas and now I have them around my house for my personal use!

Ingredients Paintbrush {foam}
Mod Podge
Match Box
Cardstock
Scissors

Cut

Measure your Cardstock paper on the top and side.

Cut two sizes for top and bottom and two for the sides.

Mod PodgeUsing the foam brush, spread the glue on one section and then place the matching size cardstock on. Repeat until all four places are decorated!

Easy, Fun and Beautiful! These make great additions to throw in a gift if your giving a candle!

I'm linking this here and...

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My Home: Launching Pad for the Gospel

Photo Credit: KatieOak

In reflecting on the passing of a year and a new one just beginning I have sought out what I want to be a major focus in the upcoming time. I want my home to be a Launching Pad for the Gospel. I'm not sure what all the Lord wants me to include in this but, a few things I do know are…

When I first married I moved away from all family and everyone I knew with my Prince Charming. I loved my new life with my husband and loved the fact that we had ran off into the sunset five hours away to the mountains to attend college. It was such a sweet time where we learned to work out our differences and spend three years learning each other in a deep way.

After college graduation we moved again and had another year together by ourselves. During these first few years of marriage I focused on my education and growing in my marriage. During this past year we entered the process of adoption and have welcomed two children in our home to become apart of our family. Due to extensive behavior problems and overwhelming attachment needs I began to shift my focus from education to building attachments with our kids.

During this time we moved to a bigger home so we were able to accommodate our new growing family, so I had lots of room to host, yet, due to attachment needs I had to be very careful in allowing the kids to be with other adults. Any adult was viewed as their 'mommie' or 'daddie.' So, I had to be completely focused on my family.

Within the past six months the Lord has been healing the kids in so many ways, in particular attachment issues. This has given me such a refreshing mindset knowing that I'm able to begin hosting and focusing not only inward to my family but, outward to others outside my family as well. {Please don't think I wasn't able to minister and help others outside my family during the past six months, but, I'm able to so much more now.}

With the upcoming year I truly want my home to be a Launching Pad for the Gospel. I want to build deeper relationships with my neighbors and invite them into my home in hopes of sharing the Gospel and seeing them transformed by the wonderful Truths.

The other way I want to seek for my home to be a Launching Pad for the Gospel is by coming to the aid of hurting believers and those in need of discipleship. How can I encourage those in need who are already believers, by showing them Christ? Giving them advice which points to the Gospel, the work of Christ which not only transforms the person who accepts Christ for the first time, but also transforms the Believer in each situation they are faced with.

In future posts I will be sharing how I plan on practically caring this out. Pin It Now!

Unwasted Homemaking Linkup Party #1

Welcome to the first 'Unwasted Homemaking Linkup PaRtY!
If your a blogger please join in on the fun so we can all learn from your mad skills.

Here are a few easy guidelines to follow...

Copy the code under the 'Unwasted Homemaking Linkup Party' to the right of this post' and post it somewhere on your blog! It would be amazing if you would put it at the bottom of your post the first couple of times you join the party but, the only thing neccessary is to add my linkup party button somewhere :).

Keep it related to Homemaking... which only excludes a few things. Any recipe, family tradition, devotional on homemaking/mothering, cleaning tip, craft etc.

Link to your specific post and not your website domain.

Linkup as many post as you want! No limit!

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Homemaking Linky

I'm super excited to tell you that I'm going to be hosting a Homemaking Link Party! One of the main reasons I want to have this link-up is for you {my lovely readers}. I want you guys to have access to more Homemaking ideas. So, if you’re a reader and not a blogger then you will be able to check here on Mondays for a link-up of homemaking things. If your a blogger join in and link up all things domestic!

I will be having the first 'Unwasted Homemaking Linky' this Monday. Please link as many post as you would like {no limit}! Just include my button somewhere on your blog so others can join!

Anything Homemaking goes...

Recipes, cleaning tips, hosting ideas, crafts, birthday parties, devotions/meditations on hosting, motherhood or anything else domestic.

See you Monday at the Unwasted Homemaking Link-Up!

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2010 Mercies

As a calendar is changed over I reflect on all of the mercies granted to me and my family in 2010.

My husband and I went to the North West Territory in Canada and became aware of the needs in this region for the Gospel.

I was able to go to Youth Camp with my husband and minister/form bonds with special young ladies.

The Lord was gracious to my husband when he hemorrhaged a week after his tonsil surgery. After two emergency procedures three spots were found and taken care of.

God has given us two children to guard, protect, shelter, love, cherish, give Hope to and display the Gospel to.

Christ has seen us through many trials during the Adoption process and has helped the kids form attachments with us {despite them never forming attachments in other homes they have lived in}.

The Lord showed me a new way in which I could serve and honor Him {through Don't Waste your Homemaking}.

God has shown me more in this past year my sinful heart and how I'm in need of the Gospel every moment.

As the calendar changes a new update in the Adoption process has occurred. A seemingly impossible situation has occurred and we are one step closer to wrapping up the process! This of course won't happen quickly but, so many obstacles have been removed in the past six months... 6 major ones!

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