I Thank God… Day 30

I thank God for my son, Matthew. I’ve learned so much through the years of mothering, teaching, and loving him. He’s nearly grown now…at least I hope he is. He’s over six feet tall!

I thank God for my daughter, Emily. She helped me through the grieving my mother’s death, just by being my baby girl. She’s such a wonderful girl…a real Proverbs 31 lady in the making. She is my singer, dancer, and baker. I truly enjoy her company. She is my Wednesdays at One appointment.

I thank God for my son, Michael. He brought joy and laughter back to me after my mom’s death, just a couple of months before his birth. His name was supposed to be Zachary Isaac, meaning “God remembered laughter.” The night before he was born, Matthew asked us to name him Michael Gabriel, “Man of God, God is my Strength”. After he was born, we prayed. His name is Michael Gabriel. He truly is the one who brings laughter and laughs the most in our family. When asked which Lane Kid he is, he can answer, “the fun one.”

I thank God for my little Amy. She was truly a gift from God. We had been asking the Lord whether we should have another baby, rather than telling us, He showed us! What a thrill! We are so thankful that we were submissive to God’s plan for our life. She brings so much happiness. She’s my little decorator. She’s going to love setting out the Christmas things.

I thank God for my husband, Lowell, who has taken me for richer or poorer (We were hoping for richer.), in sickness and in health (I’m hoping for a little healthier.), ’til death do us part (That part we’re solid on.).

He’s got an amazing faith in God. When I’m falling apart, he’s there steadily believing God for whatever we need. He’s amazing; and, he’s mine, all mine.

Thank you God for giving me the best blessings, these five who share my home and my heart.

Thank you for this love that they give me.

Thank you God for my Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for Your Holy Word to us, the Bible.

Thank you for giving me a church family who loves us and challenges us to be more like You.

Thank you, Lord!

Laura

A Month of Thanks

I Thank God… Day 29

I thank God for seasons and celebrations in our lives. Our existence would grow rather hum-drum if we never celebrated anything. I told my daughter yesterday that Fall ends in December; but, we seem to have five seasons now rather than four. The Christmas season has been added to the basic four. I suppose it helps ease us into winter. Today, fall will disappear in my home to be replaced bit by bit with Christmas.

I did go shopping yesterday morning. There were a couple of items that I couldn’t afford any other way. I went to our town’s
Wal-Mart. Things didn’t get crazy like in the city; but, one lady actually fainted. Perhaps it was the crowd. I got the two things that I needed; but, after reading about the deaths at Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, I don’t think I want to participate anymore, regardless of the sale prices. It’s just not worth it. What could shoppers have been thinking as they trampled that poor man at Wal-Mart? Will they enjoy their “bargains” purchased at the price of a man’s life? I’m sickened by it.

God forgive us as a people and a nation for the shameful way that we have idolized the gifts and giving above all else. I wonder that the press hasn’t renamed Your birthday, Buymuch. Forgive us for the Greed that Stole Christmas. Bless the families of the men who were killed. Heal their hearts, bring them close to You.

Laura
Thankful
That Not All
Have Forgotten
You in This Season

I Thank God… Day 28

I Thank God for Matthew, Emily, Amy, and Michael.
They changed my life for the better.
They have been the greatest challenge
and the greatest blessing of my life.
I love them all the best.
Thank you God!

Laura
Blessed with Four

HAPPY THANKS LIVING! I Thank God… Day 27

I Thank God… for the Christians that went before us to prepare the way so that we can worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving

and

Happy Thanks Living!

Laura

Blessed Beyond

German Apple Stuffing

My momma always made sage dressing.  When I got married, I decided to do something different.  It’s become my family’s favorite stuffing.  I always think I’m going to go back and make the sage dressing sometime; but, I’m always voted down!  Happy Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas!

German Apple Stuffing

1 loaf white bread in 1/2″ cubes

1/3 cup butter

1medium chopped onion

1/2 c chopped celery

1/4 c chopped celery leaves

2 T chopped parsley

1/4 t salt

1/8 t pepper

2 cups milk

2 eggs, beaten slightly

2 medium Red Delicious or Gala Apples, pared and chopped

1/4-1/2 cup raisins

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 6 cup baking dish.  Place bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until dry and toasted, about 5 minutes.  I sometimes just have the kids toast the bread in the toaster and tear it up small for me instead. 

2.  Transfer bread into large bowl.  Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. 

3.  Melt butter in saucepan.  Stir in onion, celery, parsley, salt and pepper.  Cook 3 minutes. 

4.  Pour over bread and stir.  Add milk and eggs.  Stir to moisten.  Gently stir in the raisins and apples.  Spoon into prepared baking dish.  Cover with foil.

5.  Bake one hour.

How to Plan Your Holiday Meal Preparation Timeline

Happy Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage 

Down to the Wire…Timeline

Okay, Friends, we’re down to the wire for Thanksgiving preparations. Hopefully, you’ve already cleaned, planned out menus, and gotten food in the house. Next, it’s time to make a list of all the things you have to do from now until dinner is served tomorrow. I’m going to a friend’s house with my family; but, I’m bringing much of the feast with me.

I am responsible for the following items:

turkey

gravy

dressing

sweet potato casserole

veggies for the dip she’s making

2 pumpkin pies

1 pecan pie

That’s nearly an entire feast in itself! I won’t tell you all she’s adding. You’ll gain weight just reading the menu!

So next, you need to think about a time table. What can be made or prepared early?

I need to continue to thaw my turkey; it’s not ready yet, though I did put it in the refrigerator 3 days early. So, I’ll be thawing it in cold water in my sink, changing the water often.

The gravy will have to be a last minute thing.

The dressing will be my German Apple Stuffing that I’ve made nearly all the years I’ve been married. Many of the ingredients can be prepped early in the day. I’ll put it all together tonight and bake it tomorrow.

I’ll put the Sweet Potato Casserole together tonight as well.

The veggies for dipping can be cut up early today by a little pair of hands.

The pies, too can be made early today. First my hubby needs to make the pie crust for me. He’s just so good at it! True confession, I’ll have to make an extra pie for tonight. Everyone will have a terrible sweet tooth!

In addition to all of this, we have to eat today, too!

Get your comfortable working clothes and shoes on and let’s get started! So, now that you have a To Do list, start to organize it by what can be done this morning, this afternoon, this evening, and tomorrow morning. Here’s what it looks like for me this year:

Wednesday Morning:

Make coffee for hubby.

Make oatmeal.

Clean up from breakfast.

Put turkey in cold water to thaw.

Get my children busy cutting up the vegetables I’ll need. I’ll give them a list of sizes and amounts needed.

Make pie crusts. Hoping for My Honey’s help with this one!

Make pumpkin pies.

Make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chips for lunch.

Clean up.

Take a break!

Wednesday Afternoon:

Check the turkey.

Make pecan pie.

Set Cool Whip in the refrigerator to thaw.

Put together the sweet potato casserole and put it in the refrigerator. I’ll bake it tomorrow.

I’ll have one of the children toast the bread for my German Apple Stuffing while I’m working in the kitchen.

Wednesday Evening:

Serve grilled cheese sandwiches and leftovers for dinner.

Clean up dinner.

Put the stuffing together.

Watch a movie with the family.

Thursday Morning:

Start the turkey early in the morning. I use a Reynold’s cooking bag to make it quicker and easier.

Mid-morning, add the sweet potato casserole and the stuffing to the oven.

Cut the turkey and make the gravy.

Pack items to take to my Friend Laura’s house for dinner.

Leave about 11:40.

Well, my friends, there’s the plan. I’ll follow it the best I can. Even if I don’t do it perfectly, I’ll still be ahead of the game.

Now, quick, sit down and make yourself a time table and get busy!

God bless you all and Happy Thanksgiving!

Laura

I Thank God… Day 26

I thank God. This month has made me really think. Thank you Sue at Country Pleasures for suggesting this theme for the month. Last night, I was talking with my children and praying with them after our company left. I amazed them by thanking God for my mother’s cancer. It was a most painful time in my life, in her life, and in the lives of our family members. But God!

I thank God for my mother’s cancer because He used it for so much good. Here is a list of just a few of the things that I know God did with Mom’s cancer.

My mother, Barbara, dedicated her life to God, and sought Him with all her heart mind will and strength. She had known about God all along. Now, she gave her life to Him and set about searching the Holy Scriptures to know God. She was saved by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus’ for her sins and believing in Him and His word, the Bible.

My step-father accepted Jesus and was saved.
My little brother, Brent, accepted Jesus and was saved.
My mom had the opportunity to witness to people in the hospital. She was always as happy and chipper as she could be when she went for chemo. She called her doctor Eyeore and wouldn’t accept his bad news that she had only a 2% chance of beating her bone cancer. She loved life and tried to enjoy even that part. She lived much longer than she was “supposed to” by pressing into God, by exploring herbal supplements in addition to the chemo.

Bless her heart, I’d been a Christian for many years; but, before she died, she told me the entire Plan of Salvation. She wanted to make sure that I’d be with her in Heaven one day. She wasn’t willing to leave it to chance. God bless her for it.

Mom’s cancer was not a tragedy. It was a victory. She fought the good fight. She ran the race. She won. She ran into her Father’s arms.

Mom’s cancer gave a God fearing woman, who had been single all her life, a new husband in my step-father. She helped him through mourning and helped him continue to grow in the Lord. It was hard seeing him marry so quickly after Mom passed; but, it’s been a good for him.

Mom’s cancer allowed two more babies to be born to be raised for God.

There are many things I’m not even aware of. In my heart and emotions, it was so painful. I miss her so much. I sometimes pray and ask Jesus to give her a message; because, I don’t believe in talking to the dead. I figure I cannot go wrong if I go through Jesus. I hope He’ll read this post to her. ~smile~

So cancer was and is a tragedy. But God!

” And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28, The Bible

I used to think that meant for me personally. I’m coming to understand that God has a different overall view than I do. He’s looking at what is best for all His people according to His purpose. I’m not going to necessarily feel like it’s best at the time. I’m not necessarily going to like it. But God is going to work with it and use it all for His purpose. I thank God that He loves me so much, I am part of His purpose. With God, everything may not be alright in my circumstances; but with God, I will be alright in my circumstances.

Thank You God.
Laura

I Thank God… Day 25

I thank God for planes, trains, and automobiles. They allow us to see loved ones far away.

I thank God for phones, e-mail, and snail mail. They allow us to talk to loved ones far away.

Thank you God!

Laura

Getting a Little Stressed?

No, it’s not mine; but, it’s beautiful!

Okay, some of you may be getting a little stressed at this point. Thanksgiving is but a few days away.

First, take a deep breath. Now, go take your turkey of of the freezer. Put it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly and safely.

We have a lot of control over how much tension we have in our own minds over holiday dinners. Planning is so very important. Here are some ideas that might help you:

Sit down with paper and pen right now and think think think.

Start with today.

Plan your meals for each day from now until the end of the weekend. Try to use the food you have on hand as much as possible to save your money for special items you will need to celebrate. Plan for a few impromptu snacks as well.

Monday

Breakfast-

Lunch-

Dinner-

Snack or Dessert

Write this out for every meal. Then make a list of every item you will need.

Now, ask yourself a few questions.

Where will you be for Thanksgiving?

Will you be providing the meal? Bringing something to a dinner?

Traveling? Needing snacks for the car? Candles? Decorations?

Jot down any notes you might need.

When you’re done with all of this, you should have a grocery list. First, shop your pantry and freezer. Check off what you already have. You should be left with a grocery list. Check it twice.

Now, plan to go to the store as soon as possible. Take your list!

More to come!

Laura

Loving the Holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas

I Thank God…Day 24

Thank God it’s Monday! This is an odd week for a sales executive. My hubby will work regularly for Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday will be strange because no one really wants to buy advertising or anything else on the day before Thanksgiving. So, I think he’ll have a meeting with the boss and tie up some loose ends, etc.

I thank God for Lowell’s employment. It really seems to be something he enjoys, his boss seems to be pleased. I’m also thankful for regular paychecks again. Some of you know that Lowell was out of work from last November until August. Those were really growing in faith and creativity months. We’ve learned so much in the last few years. I thank God for bringing us through these hard times and building our faith in Him. I also thank God for protecting our marriage during the very worst of times a couple of years ago. He sent us to Marriage Encounter right before we lost our business. Thank you God!

Laura
Thankful to be Regular
~giggle~