Well, here we are at the end of October, and I’m happy to report that the Bible reading is going well.

Because the Bible I’m reading is arranged chronologically, we’ve started doing some jumping around.  I finished Exodus in it’s whole, read perhaps one chapter in Leviticus, and have now read the first twenty or so chapters of Numbers.

For some reason I always imagined Numbers as a very boring book, and though I have struggled with some of the geographical descriptions of battles and conquests in the latter part of the book, the telling of events concerning people is absolutely fascinating.

Today I discovered that not only was Moses barred from the Promised Land, but his brother Aaron was as well – you know, I’ve heard SO many people talk about Moses not being allowed passage into the Promised land – my father, preachers, children’s story Bibles etc. but I’ve never read it for myself (no one mentioned Aaron that I can recall).  Truly, digging into the scriptures is richly rewarding, to know, to appropriate God’s HIS-story for myself!  Wow!

What new gems have you been gleaning?

With our new business venture slowly being born, my thoughts have been turning towards internet marketing.  While I’m no newbie in terms of promoting a business online, I can’t claim to be a pro either.  In the past I’ve relied upon link exchanges, affordable website directory listings, signature lines and promotional emails (no spam!) on topic-related yahoo groups and the like – internet marketing on a shoestring as it were.

Our online enterprises have never needed local search marketing, because our businesses have always shipped internationally, and haven’t been area specific.  The same goes for our new project.  I have to admit though, I am toying with the idea of doing some experimental click-based ad word advertising once we have more products developed and see how it goes .

Thanks for your patience ladies, I know I’m overdue on this draw!  Our three winners for the Les Mess Organizing Card Game contest are:

Melissa N.

Heather C.

and

memoriesmama (Darcy)

Congratulations ladies!  Please get back to my email within 72 hours, so I don’t have to pick new winners!  I pray that this unique product will help you get your kids (and house) whipped into shape – in a fun way of course .

I’m passionate about Natural Pork, ever since my first taste of it I’ve been a firm believer in the benefits of raising pigs the ‘old-fashioned’ way – you know, out in the open air, on grass, without the stinky fumes that come with a confinement barn?  The meat is so much more subtle (no stinky smell when frying!) when it’s been raised in the open air.  Some people think pigs are still raised the way this video depicts, sadly – this isn’t the case!

We’ve been able to raise and butcher several hogs ourselves, and the meat has been without compare.  If you try some natural pork, raised like a pig should be, I don’t think you’ll be able to go back!  We haven’t been able to!

We have a winner for our Three-Tiered Skirt Contest!  Congratulations to Traci Knoppe!  I’ll be emailing you your pattern shortly!  Thanks to all who entered, and don’t forget to check back soon for more contests, I have quite a few waiting in the wings!

Here in Canada we have a public health insurance system – and unlike our neighbors to the South, we adore it, and fight vigorously for it at any signs of privatization.  I know this is a touchy subject right now with Obama reforms coming down the pipe, but if you need health insurance quotes, here you go.  Interesting article there about some insurers refusing coverage on women with a history of c-sections who refuse to be sterilized.  Ugh, you’ll want to be avoiding those companies ladies!!

Hello All!

Fell asleep without blogging last night – imagine that!  In any case, after doing a bit of catch-up blogging tonight, I need to take a  break for a couple of days.  Our homeschooling facilitator is coming for our first EVER evaluation on Monday, and I need to do some house-cleaning, and miscellaneous preparations tomorrow!  Exciting times!

I know I’m behind on a few emails/comment follow-ups, but if you’ll bear with me I’ll get back with you!  Hopefully soon, thanks for your patience!

Whether or not you enjoy cooking — if you’re a mom you no doubt echo the universal sentiment that there doesn’t seem enough time in the day to fulfill the myriad of responsibilities allotted you, as well as preparing healthy meals for your family. As a busy mother of two and a schoolteacher, author Jane Doiron can relate.

Drawing from her hands-on cooking experiences and time-tested recipes, Doiron has compiled a versatile collection of recipes spanning the traditional groupings: Appetizers, Breakfast and Brunch, Dessert, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, and Soup. While there are a few other books on the market dedicated to making the task of meal preparation simpler and less time-consuming for mothers, Doiron’s is unique in that it focuses not upon a single strategy — freezer cooking, slow cooker, frozen dough, preparing in advance, and so on — instead, she explores a wide variety of techniques and suggestions for making meals in advance. Sometimes these are complete meals, other times parts of meals, and in some cases are only preparatory steps that can be completed the day before to hasten the assembly of the desired dish.

Unlike most cookbooks however, Make-Ahead Meals is sadly lacking in photographic presentations of the completed dishes. While the front and back cover of the book feature absolutely scrumptious pictures of meals prepared from Doiron’s collection of recipes, the interior is bereft of interior adornment, and relies upon a straight-forward text-only layout to convey the recipes contained within.

The recipes are grouped according to major category, but are sadly not sub-categorized into technique: freezing, make the day ahead, etc. This further division would have proved invaluable to moms wanting to look up just the freezer recipes, or just the slow cooker recipes etc. Doiron does however, provide excellent instructions including detailed re-heating, assembly, and a clear step-by-step flow to make-ahead meal preparation.

Doiron’s recipes are written predominantly to use “from scratch” ingredient lists. At times some prepared foods are called for (pre-cooked bacon, a can of soup, fluffy whip, etc.), but for the most part I was delighted to find such a back-to-basics approach to cooking. So many recipe books call for can-of-soup-casseroles that it’s very difficult for families with food allergies to substitute ingredients. That being said, the bulk of the fare is traditional, and not geared towards allergy-prone families.

A passion for Italian, Mexican, and classic Americana food is present throughout the collection. The dishes also range through varying degrees of complexity, from a classic Sloppy Joes (for the freezer) to Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Chicken (prep the day before), there’s something here for everyone. This is a wonderful resource for new moms, or even those just out of the nest and cooking on their own for the first time. Doiron doesn’t fail to include classic, foundational recipes that everyone should have in their repertoire. With 145 recipes to choose from, the average family can be well-fed from this one recipe book alone.

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Should Christians celebrate Halloween, or not?

Some of my faithful readers may be familiar with my involvement in witchcraft and the occult prior to God saving me, and the blood of Jesus being applied on my account.  As such, the debate concerning whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween – a festivity with roots in the Celtic pagan traditions – is close to my heart.

Though I wasn’t planning on participating whole-heartedly in the debates this year, when Lisa Metzer contacted me regarding my personal feelings on the topic as an ex-witch, I was happy to comply.  She has carefully compiled my responses with that of an ex-wiccan along with her own research on the topic, and I strongly recommend that any believer questioning the appropriateness of this celebration for their holiday read it.

You can find her excellent post here.

Enjoy, and may God bless and keep you.

I’ve watched my fair-share of Christian B-level films about the end-times. Take the Anti-Christ, Christian persecution, imprisonment, and escape plots, mix it all together with a few optional elements, and there you have it. Still, hope springs eternal, so when I saw a DVD with the Sony label attached to it, I was willing to spend 106 minutes in a quasi-futuristic world. Unfortunately after watching Six: The Mark Unleashed my quest to find an end-times film worthy of investing my time or money on continues.

Originally released in 2004, this year’s re-release of the direct-to-DVD film features a new cover design and an affiliation with Sony Pictures. Combined with the names of some instantly recognizable actors – Stephen Baldwin and Jeffrey Dean Morgan first among them - The Mark Unleashed offered a ray of hope amongst the generally lack-luster DVD offerings available in the Christian marketplace.

Opening with an interesting premise – the Leader has taken over the world, requiring his minions to be implanted with a device that prolongs life, diminishes conscience, acts as birth control, and otherwise controls their emotions and behaviour. Free-thinkers, and Christians are amongst those refusing to receive the implant (the mark), and it is two rebels working as car thieves and a black-market smuggler that the film revolves around.

Finding themselves imprisoned the trio comes into contact with a large group of Christian inmates awaiting execution upon refusing to take the mark. Amongst these is Stephen Baldwin, the de facto leader of this prison church, where – surprisingly – inmates are allowed Bibles and freedom to gather and worship. Together the three plan their escape from confinement in a search to find Eli Cohen, a man well known for his efforts in preaching salvation to the remaining rebels.

Sadly any potential inherent in the screenplay and cast is largely mitigated by directorial and budget constraints. Decent lines are thrown away with lack of dramatic emphasis and timing issues. The plot becomes scattered and unfocused with loose threads and senseless inclusions in the films latter half.

Baldwin’s character – the most prominent Christian in the film – is entirely too creepy. He seemingly knows everything due to his personal time with God, speaks in an otherworldly monotone meant to convey peace and serenity, but comes across as eerie, and can seem smug as he reveals his personal prophesies. He’s the uber-Christian, never getting mad, frustrated, acting uncertain, or dealing with any doubts, insecurities or struggles – making him more of an automaton than a real man.

Though listed as “Not Rated”, I’d assign Six: The Mark Unleashed a PG-13 rating. Though poorly executed, the scenes of neurological torture and the occasional shooting (think people throwing themselves awkwardly to the ground with no blood) would be disturbing for younger viewers. Standard scene navigation is included on the disc, as well as a director’s commentary, behind the scenes, bloopers reel, deleted scenes and previews that are available as special features.

As a believer I share the evangelical heart of the makers of the film. Most of the actors are also clearly Christian, which is appreciated in a faith-based film. Still, I long for a day to arrive when sub-standard films are no longer hailed as brilliant within the Christian community.

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