How are we running?

1 Corinthians 9:24 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Inspiring Story of being "Happy First"

918 Moms - Inspiring others with Happy First by Melanie Henry font size:   Print   Email   1 comments Cancer survivor Debbie Vineyard aims to inspire others through her women’s and children’s clothing line, Happy First. In a minute, Debbie Vineyard’s world changed. As she held her 6-week-old baby and her 3-year-old son scurried about, Vineyard learned she had cancer. A woman known for calling and e-mailing friends to wish them a “Happy First Day of the Month” or “Happy Monday” would begin chemotherapy the next day, Feb. 1, 1995. Of cancer, Vineyard simply says, “I got the good one. Isn’t that funny?” According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the survival rate for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cancer involving the body’s lymph system, is generally 90 percent or higher when the disease is detected during early stages, as it was for Vineyard. Vineyard knew the odds were on her side, but the unknown haunted her. “I wasn’t worried about me,” she says. “I was worried about my kids, my husband. I felt like I could beat it from the start. I knew God had a plan for me and I was going to be fine.” Fifteen years later, Vineyard is cancer-free. “Everyone has their own story,” she says. “I had to go through cancer to get my story.” Her story began with a cancer diagnosis, but Vineyard was determined to make her next chapter one of new beginnings. So, Happy First was hatched. The egg-inspired clothing line offers women’s and children’s apparel with unique messages. Four years ago, the line began with eight products. Today, Happy First offers dozens of products with vendors in 15 states and online at  www.HappyFirst.com. Best sellers include “Happy Chick” and “Freshly Hatched” organic infant onesies, adult wraps and “Happy Hour” hoodies. “(It’s) just like you are bursting out of a shell,” Vineyard says. “I like the idea of a fresh start every day.” Friends say her enthusiasm is addictive. College friend  Amy Fuller says Vineyard radiates something special. “I think she’s exploding with the need to explore life and not waste a minute,” she says. Lori Dale, another longtime friend, admits that she often needs “a dose of Debbie” to brighten her day. Others appreciate her contributions as well. This year Vineyard has been nominated as the Pi Beta Phi Woman of the Year. As her company grows, so does Vineyard’s commitment to giving back. In addition to donating a portion of the Happy First proceeds to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Vineyard is also an advocate. She says her clothing line is more than just a shirt or jacket. “It’s an opportunity to connect and share my story and encourage people to live life to the fullest,” she says. “I tell them to be positive. Many cancers are curable. Watch the blessings that come from the challenge.” Vineyard says she wants people to embrace the Happy First mentality, which is to simply find your passion and pursue it. Spend a minute with her and you’ll see just how she celebrates life each day. Melanie Henry co-founded 918moms.com, a community Web site for moms who swap stories, save money and share advice. Learn more at www.918moms.com. This article originally appeared in the February 2010 issue of TulsaPeople Magazine.

Words You Should Never Say...

This is a great list from Kathy Peel on 25 things we should never say to our kids!

Crunchy Pork Chops

Getting all of my family to agree on a "good" recipe is a challenge, I tend to test out a lot of new things on my family in the spirit of creating something new and finding ways to save money.... sometimes it's a thumbs up and other times I get asked where the Cheerios are!

This recipe was a surprising hit. The pork was juicy on the inside and the coating remained super crunchy. I started out with a basic recipe and of course added and changed, etc., sometimes it takes a few tries to tweak things, but this one seemed to be perfect after the first go around, so I submit it for your dinnertime pleasure :) My apologies, I forgot to snap a picture; unexpectedly, my parents came over for a spur of the moment dinner so they got to share in the yum as well.

1/2 C Bisquick
1/2 C Panko
1/2 C Flax-Seed Meal
1/4 Wheat Flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
6 boneless, center cut pork chops
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425. Place wire rack on a baking sheet and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In shallow dish dish, combine Bisquick, Panko and Flax-Seed Meal. In 2 separate shallow dishes, place flour and eggs. Pat pork chops dry with paper towel and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dredge pork in flour; coat in eggs, and dredge in baking mix mixture.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until done. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Pure Vanilla Extract

I love real vanilla, in fact in baking my motto is "why use 1 t of Vanilla when I can use 2"! However good Vanilla is very expensive and in my house goes fast, so I found out how to make it myself. Here's the easy recipe.

1 large bottle of Vodka
3-5 real Vanilla beans (I use Organic)

Split vanilla beans down the center to release the vanilla. Add beans to vodka and seal. You will need about 6 weeks time to cure the vanilla into extract, so store in dark dry place during cure time.

After vanilla is done, you can transfer it to a smaller glass bottle if desired. You will notice that most pure vanilla extract is packaged in dark glass bottles, this is to prevent sun/light exposure. I recommend a dark glass bottle if you can find it.

Color and consistency will not be the same as commercial products but the flavor can not be beat.

More Vodka can be added to use same process to create one more batch of extract, adding 1-2 more beans for a fuller flavor.

Beans are approximately $3-5 per bean, here is where the expense lies, but when you compare it to the amount this recipe yields to the cost of retail Vanilla, it wins in the savings department!

Pot-Pourri.... pourri for the "pot"!

A fabulous spray so no one knows what you really do in there!

1/4 C Vodka
3/4 C Distilled Water
10-15 drops essential oil: favorites are eucalyptus, sweet orange, lemon, ylang-ylang, cinnamon.

Add all to a spray bottle and place in bathroom.

Amazing Make Up Remover

Here is a great recipe for natural make up remover that is kind to your face.

1 Tbls Pure Aloe Vera
1 Tbls Distilled Water
1 Tbls Jojoba Oil

Mix ingredients well in bottle.
Use just a few drops on cotton pad and wipe over face to remove make up and mascara.
Proceed with facial cleanser.

Misty's Spicy Bacon Chili

1/2 pkg Bacon, diced
21/2 lbs beef or sausage combination
1 small sweet onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 T Fennel Seed
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 can tomato paste
3 cans chili beans, drained
1 can green chilies
1 dark beer
3 T Beef Bouillon
1 t Chipotle Chili Powder
1 T Worcestershire
1 T Oregano
1 T Basil
1 t Cumin
1 t Hot pepper Sauce
1 t Sea Salt
1 t Black Pepper
1 t Paprika
1 T Sugar

1. In large stock pot over medium-high heat, brown bacon. Set aside.
2. Brown beef, adding ingredients through Fennel Seed. Drain excess grease from pot and return bacon.
3. Add tomatoes through Bouillon and blend.
4. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours.
5. Serve with shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream and/or saltine crackers.

Goes wonderful with my easy Beer Bread!

2 2/3 C Self-Rising Flour

12 oz Dark Beer

1. Heat oven to 375. Grease loaf pan.
2. Mix flour and beer just till moistened.
3. Scrape into loaf pan and Bake 50-55 min until lightly browned and pick comes out clean.
4. Cool on wire rack 5 min in pan.
5. Remove from pan, set on wire rack until cool enough to slice.
6. Slice thickly.

Enjoy!

Reviving Make Up Brush Cleaner

It is hard to remember to clean our make up brushes, but once something touches our face, it needs to be cleaned so as to not spread bacteria. A good rule of thumb is to clean them at least every 2 weeks. This wonderful homemade cleaner is so simple it will having you taking better care of those brushes with very little effort and at a fraction of the cost of retail brush cleaners.

Reviving Make Up Brush Cleanser:
2 Tbs Pure Alcohol
1 C Distilled Water
1 tsp Castille Soap

Have available:
Damp, new sponge or paper towel
2 Shallow dishes or small bowls
Distilled Water
Clean towel or paper towel
1 Clean towel folded

Steps:

1.  In shallow dish of cleanser, dip tip of brush, being careful to not wet the farrel (the metal connection between brush tip and wood handle). Do not swish the brush around, you will "muddy" the cleanser, just hold for a few seconds.
2. Wipe brush back and forth on damp sponge or paper towel, do not rub or circle the tip. Repeat steps 1 & 2 until tip wipes clear.
3.  Wet tip in dish of distilled water to rinse.
4. Wipe again with back and forth motion to rid of excess water on clean paper towel. 
5. Shape brush with fingers and lay flat to dry on folded towel with brush tip hanging over.
6. When brushes are completely dry, fluff lightly with fingers and replace in holder. 

• Always be careful to keep brushes pointed down when handling so water does not get into the farrel.
• Grouping powder brushes, blush, and eye brushes together for cleaning makes it easier.
• For heavy eye liner or lip liner brush cleaning add tip to a drop of Olive Oil on a paper towel and wipe gently for make up removal, then proceed with Step 1. 
• Kabuki or powder brushes can also be "quick cleaned" by wetting tip with distilled water, applying a few drops of soap to a damp sponge, and wiping brush back and forth on sponge, finish with a water rinse and dry.

The Sweetness of Listening

As I was having coffee on my patio this morning, I was mesmerized by a beautiful Hummingbird as he sought to gather nectar for the day. The plant he chose is usually blooming, full of large succulent flowers, and teeming with nectar, but today the flowers were closed shut. I was amazed at his instinctual ingenuity by sucking from the bud of the flower, an obvious "Plan B" since his source of the flower itself was closed to him. But I had to wonder if the Hummingbird was getting all he needed this way or if his Plan B was only second best. I wondered if the nectar was as sweet and fulfilling to the bird that needs his daily portion to go on.

It reminded me of how I listen. Often, due to busyness, I do not give my loved ones my full ears when hearing them, I am like the closed flower. If only I would stop and open up fully, I would be able to freely give the sweetness they seek, I would be nurturing them in the way that God designed I care for my husband and kids. They would be filled.

Oh, how this beautiful picture has so convicted my heart to listen with open ears so that I may impart the sweetness they so richly deserve from me. I pray that the next time, I am unconscious of my closed ears that God would bring that Hummingbird to mind, or to my window, so that I may love and listen completely to those that God has entrusted to me. I pray the same for you.

Perfect Pasta

As I was choosing a pasta recipe out of a cookbook to make for dinner, last minute, I realized that I did not have even close to the ingredients on hand. Taking a closer look I realized that this recipe was so basic that I could virtually switch out EVERYTHING in the entire recipe and still it would be perfect so, that's the story of this recipe, so aptly named.

Preheat oven 400 degrees. Place empty casserole dish in oven to warm.

Start with your choice of pasta (rotini, penne, macaroni, bow-tie,  etc.)
8 oz. of pasta, cooked per package directions, keep hot.
*Do not discard pasta water, it will be added later so the pasta does not dry out.

Cook 2-3 C of protein in large saute pan, meduim heat, 1 T Olive Oil.
Protein ideas: 4-8 slices cooked bacon, cubed chicken breasts, cubed steak, ground beef,  Italian Sausage, etc. Remove from pan, keep warm.

Add 1/2 C onion (I prefer sweet) *Optional: 3 cloves diced garlic, to pan and 2 T butter. Add 3 C vegetables
Vegetable ideas: Butternut squash (*longer cook time), broccoli,  brussels sprouts, asparagus, green beans, tomatoes, canned tomatoes, ANY yummy vegetable or vegtable combination.
Cook approximately 3-5 minutes depending on size on vegetable choice.

* Vegetarian Option:1 can drained and rinsed beans

Add protein to pan
Add 1 T fresh chopped spice, dried can be used
Spice ideas: Sage, Basil, Thyme, Italian Blend, Mexican Blend
Salt and Pepper to taste
Stir and heat for 2 more minutes for tastes to meld

*Optional: toss 1/4 C pine nuts in dry pan to toast. Remove from heat and cool

1/2 C shredded or shaved cheese
Cheese ideas: Parmesan, Cheddar, Guyere

Mix pasta, vegetable mixture with 1 T Olive Oil or 3 T butter. Mix in aprox 1 C hot pasta water,  add toasted Pine Nuts into warmed casserole dish. Top with parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

More varieties:
Add 3/4 cream/milk heated with 2T Butter and 1/2 C parmesan cheese to pasta for a cream sauce.
Add 1 C tomato sauce for a primavera dish.

 Make adjustments per size of family and tastes. With different additions this recipe can be rotated again and again without anyone noticing, making dinner creative and fun!

Behold my Couch

I am trying to sell my sofa on Craig's List without any luck, it has been posted for almost a week and no one has come to see the poor thing. This got me to think why. I think it's a beautiful sofa, I mean I had it custom designed from the structure on up, I hand picked a light Ivory fabric that has the most perfect floral tapestry. I dreamed of it completed and how to make it the best it could be. I got them to swap out half the back pillows and cover them in a tan suede for a more comfy look.... it is the perfect sofa. So, why no takers? Why doesn't anyone else see what I see?

We hear of that age old saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" but what if beauty is in the eye of the creator? Am I so in love with my sofa because I behold it's beauty or because I created it's beauty? Hmm. I think the second answer is more like it. As the creator of my sofa, I place an intrinsic value on it, because of what it means to me. It is a dream fulfilled, every time I see it, I am reminded of the process it took, the shop I went to off Main Street in Oregon, and waiting forever for it to be finished. I am filled with pride that I dreamed of something so beautiful and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have done it.

So it goes with our Heavenly Father. He is our Creator and He looks at us through the lens of perfection, He sees beauty in us, His creation, because of what we mean to Him. He loves you and me and He has placed a value on us that was worth more than we will ever know. He dreams of us and for us. He so carefully designed our structure to handle whatever weight we must bear. He specially choose the right fabric we would need to show us off to the world. He arranged our pillows so we would be unique and different from all the other sofas, maybe even odd. We didn't do anything to deserve this any more than my sofa did, it is love, live in it! Now go curl up in your favorite sofa and always remember you are loved.

Love you~Misty

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

This Cleaner cleans up amazingly, leaving no residue behind only a fresh fragrant scent of your choice! I change the scents to match the season i.e. spring- citrus, summer-lavender, fall-cinnamon, winter-pine. Change it up however you like.

1 funnel

1 clean durable spray bottle

2 c White distilled vinegar

1 T antiseptic essential oil

(thyme, sweet orange, lemon, pine, rose, eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, lavender, tea tree, etc.)

2 c hot water

2 t liquid detergent (dish soap)

* Add dish soap last so it doesn't foam up on you. I prefer unscented soap unless you are omitting the essential oils... it works without the oils too!

Add ingredients in order as listed with funnel into spray bottle and give a good shake. You will need to shake before each use as the mixture settles. Playing with the ratios is completely up to you, if you like more scent, or prefer less vinegar - go for it, it's your house!

Everything is cost effective except the essential oils can be pricey, check for sales at your local health food store or online. Storage is not a problem, the bottle will last you as long as a regular bottle of cleaner.

Lunch Box Ideas

I would LOVE some new lunch box ideas for school. It is already the first week of school and we are Hum-drum about the old ones, sad, I know! Who has some clever and yummy tummy fillers?

~Misty

The Practical Life

What exactly does that mean... "Practical"? Webster was a huge help in picking apart the word with me and my mind went racing away, as usual, with new interpretations. Here is some food for thought on The Practical Life.

practical, adjective, noun. adj.

1. having to do with action or practice rather than thought or theory. I find it interesting that theory and practical are in opposition to one another, interesting just because I never thought of it before. We all have our beloved theories on life, parenting or how to boil water, but do we practice them? Do we hold onto these theories more as impressive thoughts to be heard by others but not seen? Some of us have become "arm chair Christians", have we not? Quite possibly the difference that lies between a Practical Life and a Theoretical Life is one that has a track record, a life where one's theories are being tried out, tested and lived. When I do not act on my beliefs, how do I know how real they are or if they will 'hold water'? God speaks about such a life in James 2: 14-17. A theory that is put into action, over and over again is practiced and made stronger... it seems like a beautifully designed cycle. The theory gets stronger as it is practiced, the action is refined as it is practiced... The Practical Life!

2. fit for actual practice.. I love this definition! I will exchange the word "fit" for "equipped" and trust you won't mind. I am a Certified Kolbe Advisor (check out www.kolbe.com, contact me for more, I seriously passionate!) I am 100% convinced everyone is uniquely designed to fulfill the desires God has placed in our hearts, this is His will for our lives and is one of the most exciting things to grasp in our entire lives. As we allow ourselves to dream and have the courage to step out towards those dreams, we practice living how we are meant to live. If you are a housewife, you are equipped. If you are a COO, you are equipped. If you are retired, divorced, a grandparent, single, unemployed... YOU are equipped! Whatever you are doing or are going to do, God has given you the necessary items in your "tool kit" to be successful, satisfied and overwhelmingly happy as we practice them. How do I know this? Eph 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good things, which God created beforehand that we should walk in them." Oh, how I love the promises that reassure us for our Practical Life!

3. useful. Life! Your life, my life, is useful. What we do, every day IS useful. When we are practicing our purpose, when we are using what God has given us (tools, skills, theories, etc) to do his will. Col 3:23-24 reminds us that as we do these things for the Lord, and forget that it's for people, our blessing comes from the Lord. Geez, it is hard to see sometimes, isn't it? Among the laundry, the messes, the problems and the noise there often isn't a break, much less a warm fuzzy from Heaven saying "Hey, Great Job on that chicken! It rocked and it was worth hand picking the basil and lemons in 112 degree heat, I could really taste it and ..... THANK YOU!!!!!" .... not going to happen. But, I'm not waiting for it either because my satisfaction is not in the thank you, it's in the lemon. What? Yup, it's in knowing that I am useful. Because of the way God made me, personally, I know that I feel satisfied when I create. One way I get a lot of joy is from creating meals for my family - I just do, I can't explain it, it's instinctual. As I follow my God given desire, I find myself practicing my skill I am having a great time doing it because I am also being useful with my creations... now, tell me how cool God is!

The same is true for you. The Practical Life you lead is the actions you take, not only those brilliant thoughts you have. You have been created with YOU in mind, perfectly fitted and equipped with a tool box for your real construction site of life. You are useful in your Practical Life as you use your natural instincts for your work, you will experience true freedom and satisfaction in doing things as you were meant to, for God's glory. So have at it, Ladies and remember the Lemons!

Love you~ Misty