Black Eyed Peas

I had never been a big fan of black-eyed peas. When I was trying to come up with a semi-traditional New Year’s meal a few years ago I decided that they should be included as we need all the good luck we can get. Right?

Well, I can’t guarantee that these will bring you good luck but they will fill your tummy. This recipe was a big hit at our house and so easy to make. We actually eat it a few times a year just because we like it. Continue reading “Black Eyed Peas”

Deviled Eggs

We love eggs, as I’ve said many a time before, and deviled eggs usually show up on the holidays or any special occasion. This is just a basic version of deviled eggs. I have seen others that use relish and hot sauce, even one that was called a ‘Sanctified Egg’.

This is one of those recipes that I really don’t measure at all. I just add and taste. I’ve tried to get the amounts as close as possible but you can adjust them to your taste.

WARNING: Overindulgence of these could cause others to distance themselves from you later on in the day! Continue reading “Deviled Eggs”

Boiled Eggs

We like eggs no matter how they are cooked. I love them in salads, deviled, and even pickled. All of these recipes call for boiled eggs though. That elusive boiled egg that seems like it should be so easy but can make even the calmest cook lose patience when the eggs refuse to give up those shells without making a mess of the egg beneath.

One of my fondest memories revolves around my mom-mom, my mom, and me in the kitchen trying to peel eggs. My mom-mom had her way to do it and my mom had her way. Me, I hadn’t a clue and we laughed so much at each of our attempts. It was a wonder that we managed to have enough eggs to make the deviled eggs that day!

There are a million and one, at least, ways to make a boiled egg. We can make them on the stove, in the microwave, in the oven, and I think there are gadgets to make the perfect boiled egg. I don’t know about all the other methods but this is the tried and true method we use here.

I recently found an even easier way to boil eggs using my Power Cooker. Check out this method HERE. Continue reading “Boiled Eggs”

Brown Sugar & Honey Glazed Ham

This is a recipe I make once or twice a year. New Year’s Day and Easter are the normal holidays I make it for.

I try to keep my eye open for sales as ham can be rather pricey, so can the honey. You could add sliced pineapples to the ham before you glaze it if you like. Continue reading “Brown Sugar & Honey Glazed Ham”

New Year’s Resolutions

I know most of us set goals and make resolutions at the beginning of the year. I know we have the best of intentions when make them but often times we start out strong and then just kinda let our goals fade out of sight. Sometimes we just keep procrastinating on getting started and before we know it the year is gone.

This year I am setting my intentions on becoming a better mother, a better friend, a better steward of my blessings, and a better keeper of the home. I also have other goals like losing weight, being more faithful in my prayers and devotions, and getting our homeschool stuff more organized. Some of these goals are being carried over from last year. I did make progress on them but I know that I still have a long way to go. Many of them are written down in my prayer journal and I try to pray about them on a daily basis.

Here is a quick list intentional goals that I have made, as I know that I must set my mind to wanting to do something and praying that God will lead me and give me the desire and willpower to accomplish things according to His plans for my life.

  1. Create more peaceful routines.
  2. Create routines and activities that help each of my family members to develop and grow in their own unique ways.
  3. Create a place home that is calm, peaceful, and nurturing. A place where everyone who enters can feel safe, loved, and cherished. A place where my friends and family can find rest, comfort, and peace when then need it.
  4. Create a budget and routine that allows me to be a better steward of my blessings.
  5. Create a more dedicated time to prayer and devotions.
  6. Create a better schedule for planning, organizing, and rotating our homeschool activities.
  7. Create a better schedule for my daily workouts. I would like to lose 10-15 pounds.

I know that I must work at each and everyone of these in order for them to be achieved successfully. Some of them will require research and work on my part while others just require me to get motivated.

I have already started on many of them. I have read that it takes 21 days to form a new habit so I wanted to get a little head start on it. I am also reading some books to give m inspiration and ideas to motivate me towards my end goals. I will list these at the end of the post.

When you set your goals try to be as specific as possible and find ways to hold yourself accountable. It is also helpful to break the goals down into short term goals so you can evaluate your progress and make changes as needed to reach your end goal. Be sure to ask your friends and family to help you stay motivated.

Remember that it’s OK if your goals and resolutions change through the year. Sometimes we set unrealistic goals for ourselves and then just quit or throw them out the window because we feel like a failure. Don’t give up, just sit down and revise or rewrite your goals. Life happens, circumstances change, and so many things are beyond our control. Just focus on what you can control and make the best of it.

Books I am currently reading.

Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year

First Light – Women’s Daily Devotional & Journal First Light – Women’s Daily Devotional & Journal

The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming

The Lifegiving Home Experience: A 12-Month Guided Journey

The Organized Homeschool Life: A Week-By-Week Guide to Homeschool Sanity

Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God: A Guide to Developing Your Biblical Potential