April 19 – Proverbs 31:31

Proverbs 31:31 NIV Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. One reward will be God’s “Well done, good and faithful servant…Come and share your master’s happiness.” Hey! Who’s at the city gate where she’s getting praised? That’s where her husband is sitting! Or maybe the city is... Read More

Cake Pops! Or, Why I Am "Calamitous Cook"

A couple months back, I saw a friend’s gorgeous pictures of cake balls on her facebook page. Then I started seeing cake balls and cake pops everywhere. Finally I tracked down the source to Bakerella’s site. The cake pop pictures are amazing, and they look so easy! So I picked up some popsicle sticks at Wal-Mart in hopes of giving this a try. Ever since then, my oldest... Read More

April 18 – Proverbs 31:30

Proverbs 31:30 NIV Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Sometimes when you’re being “charming,” doesn’t it even feel un-authentic? It does to me. And external beauty IS fleeting. But think of some of the godly women you know. There’s an inner beauty that radiates (or is it revitates?!!) [an... Read More

The Trouble with Indoor Photography: Time to Start Shooting RAW?

My oldest daughter is like I was as a child in one particular way: She has a somber, pensive personality. I’ve made it one of my primary goals in life to get her to laugh as often as possible. And it would be the icing on the cake if I could catch it on camera! The other evening the kids and I were lounging around on the bed, and I was probably occupied with folding laundry... Read More

April 17 – Proverbs 31:29

Proverbs 31:29 NIV “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” [husband speaking to wife] “You surpass them all.” Wouldn’t it be great if every husband thought his wife was the best one? And if every husband knew how much harder we work for his praise than as a result of his criticism? I’ll bet right now you could name specific... Read More

April 16 – Proverbs 31:28

Proverbs 31:28 NIV Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: [we find out what he says to her tomorrow!] What a reward! These are children loved and nurtured by a mother they have watched and learned to respect. And they’ve heard the praise their dad gives to her. And besides the Lord’s “well-done,” isn’t this... Read More

April 15 – Proverbs 31:27

Proverbs 31:27 Amp She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness [gossip, discontent, and self-pity] she will not eat. NIV — She watches over the affairs of her household… Yes, the dishes, laundry, meals. Yes, the budget, shopping, getting the piano tuned. But also — how are the hearts of her children? Her own heart? Does her... Read More

April 14 – Proverbs 31:26

Proverbs 31:26 NIV She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Amp — and in her tongue is the law of kindness — giving counsel and instruction. I love this verse! Don’t you just long to be like this?!! To speak with wisdom — it begins with the fear of the Lord, you know. And to know that the counsel and instruction you give is “faithful”... Read More

Covering Compost: Types of Mulch

This week has been a huge learning curve for me. Through a call to my local county extension office, short discussion with my agronomy specialist husband, flipping through lots of indexes for “mulch,” and, of course, trial… and error, I have learned a thing or two about different mulches. Actually, as nerdy as this may sound, mulching isn’t for the amateur. This year’s... Read More

April 13 – Proverbs 31:25

Proverbs 31:25 Amplified Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure. She rejoices over the future — the latter day or time to come [knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! clothed — that would be for her own protection, and it would also be what others would see of her. strength — physical maybe yes, but don’t... Read More