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Momma Lisa's Menu For November 1-7

10/29/2020

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Week one planning DONE! Now, just to stick to it!

How's your menu looking? Don't forget to join us on Instagram with #mealplanningmommas !

Smile Mommas,
  ​❤  Lisa
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November Meal Planning Challenge

10/28/2020

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Meal planning is something I've done since we were first married, however in recent years I've struggled to actually stick to the meals I plan.  I'm challenging myself to stick to our menu for the entire month of November, and I challenge *YOU* to join me!

Meal Planning doesn't only help us choose healthy food to nourish our bodies, it helps our budget, and it helps save time.

While these they are in my store, I invite you to download these **FREE** meal planning printables and choose which one is best for you.  Then join us on Instagram with the hashtag #mealplanningmommas so we can keep each other accountable as we crush November!

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​There are a few options.  Meal planning isn't the same for everyone and if we try to duplicate what everyone else is doing, we are sure to fail.

This challenge isn't to do exactly what everyone else is doing, rather to figure out which is best for each of us and to stick to it!

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​If you are a Trim Healthy Mama, I use different colored pens to keep track of  my fuels and to make sure my growing kids and skinny husband get enough Cross Overs .  

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I print two copies out. One goes in my Homemaking Binder and the other is hung in the kitchen for the whole family to see.

Alright, Mommas! We've GOT THIS!

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Praying For The Future

10/28/2020

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This is a project I've wanted to work on for so long now! 

We mommas pray for our babies from the moment we know we are carrying them, and sometimes, some of us pray for them even before they are conceived.  Do you also pray for their future spouse? I have from the time my oldest was a tiny little thing cradled in my arms.  I can see us. Standing in that tiny bedroom on McGuire A.F.B. The bedroom that was all hers. It had a rocking chair in the corner, a bookshelf with carousel horses, books, and stuffed animals she was too little to play with, and the crib was right in the middle of the room with a pink sheet. The curtains separated slightly to let the moon light flow in.

I would stand between the rocking chair with the blue chair pad and the oak crib with her cradled in the crook of my arm. My head was almost always bent to drink in the intoxicating miracle of her tiny fuzzy head.  She would either sleep or fight sleep and I would pray. Swaying with her, I would pray for her, for her father and me to somehow be good parents for her and for her future siblings. And I would pray for all of their future spouses.

A couple years ago I read an article from a woman who put bow ties in a shadow box to hang on the wall to remind her to pray for each of her daughters' future husbands. I loved that.  It was a project I filed away to be done as soon as I could. As time went on, I kept thinking about doing it, and decided that I didn't really need to go out and buy lots of supplies.  I could just print it out and put it in a frame!

Unbelievably, I even sat on that simplified idea for some time. It was on my To-Do list way longer than I'd like to admit.  Then, this past Sunday in church a sweet mother was talking about how much she loves her daughters-in-law and how she prayed for them before she ever knew them.  So, I have her to thank for giving me the kick in the pants I needed to finally get this done AND to offer it to you!

I wanted my bow ties and flowers in age order for my children, and being a creature who twitches without symmetry or at least a way to make all objects even (which sometimes I can accomplish by creating or changing patterns ... but I couldn't change the order God gave me my kids, so I added a heart. 

I want this design to be exactly what you want so just let me know what symbols or icons (kind of like a charm bracelet if you will!) you want to go with your bowties and flowers. Colors are also completely up to you. Let's work together to create something special and one of a kind!

Click the image below to get your very own Prayers For The Future Print!
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FREE TO DO LIST AND HOMESCHOOL MOM Q&A

10/7/2020

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​Q: What would you tell yourself if you could talk to the New Homeschool Mom You?
A: At the end of the day take inventory of everything you and your children accomplished instead of looking at the multitude of things you didn't get crossed off your To Do List.


Yes, planning is definitely important. But being a slave to what you planned is a sure map to discouragement.
Don't allow your growing To Do List to drag you down. Take time to go over everything you did in the day and give thanks to God for all you accomplished. Also use this time to pray about what could have gone better, what needs improvement and how to improve upon it then make a plan to make it happen ... NOT to dwell on and throw a pity party but to be prepared for next time because I promise you, there will be a next time.

Please download and use these printables and let me know if they help any!

Smile Mommas,

  ​❤  Lisa

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UNFORSAKABLE TEACHINGS

10/6/2020

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Mommas, How are *you* doing today?

I was getting some verses together for an assignment for my children and I came across this one. Hear, my son, your father's instructions and do not forsake your mothers teaching.

That's just a verse for the kids, right? Or is it? We all want our children to follow Scripture. But I have a little niggling questions to ask. Are the things we are teaching them worthy of not forsaking? I'm not talking only the scheduled lesson plans, but the every day life, the words we speak, the tones we use, and the actions we take. Make your teachings worth not forsaking.

Smile Mommas,
🖤 Lisa
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Raspberry + lemon = one happy birthday boy!

9/14/2020

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My seventeen-year-old's birthday "cake" ... Lemon cake, raspberry mousse, and lemon butter cream with a few fresh raspberries. It was a hit.

Lemon cake from:
https://lifemadesweeter.com/lemon-cake
 
Raspberry Mousse: I just thawed a bag of frozen raspberries then mixed them to death with a brick of Neufchâtel Cheese, a couple pinches of mineral salt, Super Sweet to taste (I think it was about three tablespoons?), and a splash of  vanilla.

Lemon Buttercream: Okay, okay.  I'm not really sure this can be considered a buttercream any longer.  It was when I started.  And it had the perfect piping texture.  But.  It just wasn't enough bulk and I wasn't going to pipe it anyway, so I added a pint of whipping cream  and a little more sweetener.  I should probably call it something other than buttercream, but whatever you want to call it, it was delicious! 

I just mixed the juice of one lemon, two sticks of butter, AN ENTIRE BAG of confectioner Swerve, a pint of heavy whipping cream (it started off with little splashes at a time with mixing in between but eventually I just poured the whole carton), a couple splashes of vanilla extract, and two doonks of THM Pure Stevia. Then I mixed it some more. And some more. Then a little more.

To serve it I just layered it in my empty granola jar so I wouldn't feel so guilty about not having made more granola yet.  It's on my list.  I'll get it done soon.  I topped the layers with a handful of fresh raspberries, chunks of cake, and white chocolate bark made with Lily's white chocolate. (HAVE YOU TRIED THE LILY'S WHITE CHOCOLATE?  OH, GOOD GRAVY.  What about the butterscotch chips?  I cannot tell you how good they are!  I need to enter a line on the monthly budget just for them.)

My eight blessings all circled around and enjoyed right out of the granola jar.  I was still full from dinner (kielbasa, red potatoes, green beans, and onions ... yes, I had potatoes ... and enjoyed ever single bite! We were celebrating, after all.) but I will for sure be having some for breakfast!

This was a celebratory dessert and definitely not an every day thing.  Lots of heavy S ingredients and lots and lots of sweetener.  You better believe I feel a whole lot better giving this dessert to my kids than I would white sugar and flour!

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go cry into my pillow while I figure out how on Earth my baby boy is seventeen.  I won't cry for long though, that same seventeen year old, his eighteen year old sister, and I stayed up way too late last night playing 500 Rummy.  Not to boast or anything, but I'm sure you'd like to know that I won.  I might somehow be old enough to have a seventeen and eighteen year old, but I can still play a good game of cards. ;)

Smile Mommas,
 
❤ Lisa

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SUGAR FREE COPPER PENNY CARROTS (THM E)

4/17/2019

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My Gammy made these Copper Penny carrots with a whole cup of sugar, a whole cup of vegetable oil, and canned tomato soup. I decided to Trim Healthy Mamaify them just a little and boy am I glad I did!


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​Vegetables:

2 LBS peeled, washed, sliced, COOKED carrots
2 medium thinly sliced onions

Dressing:
1 cup white vinegar
1 can tomato paste
2 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp mineral salt
26 cranks black pepper
10 shakes Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup Pyure
1 cup fat free chicken broth

Mix all dressing ingredients together. Pour dressing mixture over combined vegetables. Refrigerate over night or at least 6 hours. ENJOY!

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Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower

1/1/2019

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​I don't usually make New Year's resolutions as I prefer to set goals all through the year. However, this year I am really trying to focus on making healthy choices. Healthy physical choices,  healthy spiritual choices, healthy emotional choices.  

One of the best ways to make healthy choices is to set a beautiful representation of those choices where you can frequently see it.

This is such a delicious recipe from the magazine Bon Appetite.  Seriously. So good.  I didn't include it in the recipe, but I did include garlic in the image because I add it to mine but it isn't in the original recipe.  You can add it according to your own garlic preferences.

This recipe says it is two servings worth.  I don't try to double or triple it because you only want a single layer on the cookie sheet.

This would be a THM "S" for you Trim Healthy Mamas out there.

I'll be adding more recipe prints to the shop as I create them. Do you 8ave a healthy recipe you would like to display in your kitchen? Let me
know in the comments what you want me to create  next!

8 ounces cauliflower  sliced horizontally
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Pinch (or two ;) ) of mineral salt
1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 400°.
Toss the sliced cauliflower with melted butter and olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt and black pepper before arranging the cauliflower
in a single layer on a baking sheet,. Roast for about 20-30 minutes.
Remove from the oven to dust the now roasted cauliflower with
Parmesan cheese and parsley. Return to the oven until the cheese
caramelizes and is scrumptiously crusty, about 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and serve immediately.

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FREEBIE ALERT! 2019 PLANNING.

12/28/2018

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Chore charts. Schedules. Goals. To Do Lists. I've created and recreated billions over the years.  I've learned that without accountability these things really don't have much worth.

This is the Accountability Sheet I created for my family.  ​


  • There are two blank spots for name and date to be entered on the bottom.
  • A place to enter what time each person wakes up and goes to bed (which I am really trying to be better at going to sleep at a decent time!), water splashes to color in for each glass of water consumed throughout the day, a place to check for each time we get our heart rate up (I encourage at least 15 minutes three times a day, and a place to check for each time we intentionally take time to stop to pray for direction and grounding.
  • The three dots beside (or inside of) places to check indicate the things that must be completed in order to even think about asking to use any electronic device (other than music).
  • The diamonds indicate the things that are permissible to use personal devices to achieve completion.
  •  The blank above "Lift Up" is to write in the name of the person you are going to intentionally choose to help, pray for, include ALL. THROUGHOUT. THE. DAY. (I've tried to do this for at least a decade in hopes that the more quiet, independent kiddoes didn't feel excluded and their needs never fell through the cracks.  This is the first time I'm including them in this responsibility.)
  • The blank above "Read Up" is to write what new word or concept they are going to explore for 20 minutes. (The older children can choose their own but I'll choose the littler kids.)​
  • The blank above "Write Up" is to write what they are going to write about for 20 minutes. This can be a memory verse, vocabulary definitions, letters to friends, family, or missionaries. 

    PLEASE feel free to download our Accountability Sheet and give it a try!

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GUEST POST BY MY *DAUGHTER*

11/29/2018

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I have a daughter who is so amazingly dedicated and posts to her blog with incredible consistency.  I want to be more like her.  Like, a lot.  But.  Today's not the day for that so I'm just going to dust the cobwebs off my tiny nook of the internet a little and let her share about a blog tour.

So, please welcome the one who inspires me to do more: 

Rebekah  Morris  and  Faith  Blum  have  teamed  up  for  a  fun  Christmas  Duet  Blog  Tour!

Why Christmas Duet?

Because  both  books  have  titles  that  have  to  do  with  a  Christmas  song!  Be  sure  to  check out  all  of  the  blog  posts  as  well  as  the  giveaway.

His  Law  is  Love
About:


Will  hate  and  fear  drown  the  song  of  Christmas  love?
Amelia  is  eagerly  anticipating  her  first  Christmas  in  the  west,  but  she  soon  finds  that  her  brother-in-law's worry  and  her  sister's  exhaustion  reach  far  deeper  than  the  cares  of  a  ranch and  a  family.  A  rash  of  fires  and  cattle  thefts  is  plaguing  the  area,  and  the  three  young  orphans  they've  sheltered  are  under  suspicion  from  their  prejudiced  neighbors. As  hostilities  mount,  Amelia  seizes  every  opportunity  to  help  and  encourage,  but  how  much  can  one  girl do?  Will  Reverend  Brown  win  the  community  over  to  the  true  spirit  of  love?  And  will  help  arrive  before everything  they  hold  dear  is  destroyed?

Amazon link!

Author  Bio:


Rebekah  A.  Morris  ia  a  homeschool  graduate,  an  enthusiastic  freelance  author  and  a  passionate  writing  teacher.  Her  books  include,  among  others,  Home  Fires  of  the  Great  War,  The  Unexpected  Request,  Gift from  the  Storm,  the Christmas  Collection series,  and  her  best selling Triple  Creek  Ranch series.  Some  of  her  favorite  pastimes,  when  she  isn’t  writing, include  reading,  playing  with  her  seven  nieces  and  nephews, and  coming  up  with  dramatic  and  original  things  to  do.  (Sometimes  with  the  nieces  and  nephews!)  The Show-Me  state  is  where  she  calls  home.
Interview with Rebekah!
What was the first story you completed?
My first story I completed and published was “Home Fires of the Great War.” But, if you want to know what story I first completed, it was “Bill and the Redcoats.” (Written for a small newspaper–of–sorts edited by my brother when he was in high school ) It was terrible!!! I really should find a copy of it. Or maybe not. ;) So let’s stick with “Home Fires."

Who is your biggest inspiration when you write?
My readers. Seriously, I’m the kind of person who requires feedback from readers to keep writing. As much as I love writing, I can put it off when no one is begging for the next story, or asking what I’m writing next. When I get an email or comment from a reader I get inspired to get busy and write knowing that someone is waiting for the next story, or chapter, or whatever.

Of the books you have published, which is your favorite?
Oh, dear! I’ve only published 40 books and short stories so this shouldn’t be too hard. Right? Hmm, let me think . . . “Home Fires” because it is my first published work, and I spent 6 years with the characters. (Yes, I did shed some tears when I reached the end.) “Gift from the Storm” because it was just so fun to write since I didn’t know what happened when I wrote it. “Through the Tunnel” because I’ve always had a heart for children in foster care or needing adopting. “Unto Him” because it is my very first Christmas story to write. “At the Christmas Lodge” because it’s such a mixture of reality (I spend every Christmas time, until the last few years, with my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins at a camp for about 5 days) and dreams (I only dream of that much snow, and such delightful adventures).
I guess I should stop picking favorites or I’ll end up listing them all. :)

Out of all your characters which is your least favorite?
Uh, the bad guys? I don’t really know. Each character is so different, but that’s what makes them interesting. Even Fern (from “Dylan’s Story”) I like, even though she isn’t very nice. But I see why she acts the way she does and it makes me what to help her. And Orlena (Triple Creek Ranch character) was awful to begin with! But it was rather fun because I got to see her improve. So, I don’t think I have a least favorite character.

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Eating Cinnamon bread and Nut bread on Christmas morning. My dad’s mom used to make us these special breads and send them to us. (She lived in PA and we live in MO.) Every Christmas morning it was our breakfast from Grandma. Now Grandma has passed away, but my sister still makes those breads and I think of Grandma every Christmas.
Going up to my grandparents and spending time with them. :) It used to be my mom’s entire side of the family would get together at Christmas time and we’d get to spend time with everyone. Now the cousins are grown and we don’t do the big get together any more. But we still go up to my grandparents each year to visit and hang out for a few days.
Sorry, that was two favorite things. :)

That was my interview with Rebekah and now for my interview with Faith!
O  Come  All  Ye  Faithful

About:
Edwin  wanted  to  be  home,  but  instead  he  crouched in  a  trench.  The  English  on  one  side  of  No  Man’s  Land  and  Germans  on  the  other.  What  a  way  to  spend  Christmas.  Could  anything make  it  better?
Peace  on  Earth
Emmie  and  Elana  are  estranged  sisters,  torn  apart  by  an  old  boyfriend  five  years  earlier.  Will  they  survive  a  night  in  the  same  hotel  room  after  a  blizzard  forces  them  together  or  will  peace  on  earth  go  out  the  window?
Silent  Night
Christmas  decorating  had  never  gone  this  wrong.  Jenna  had  just  started  when  a  crazy,  gun-
waving woman,  walks  right  in  the  front  door  and  ties  her  up  in  her  own  Christmas  lights.  Will  Jenna  even  see  her  family  this  Christmas?
The  Gift  Goes  On
Four  friends  and  a  year  to  reflect  on.  The  year  had  been  good  for  Carlotta,  but  Priscilla,  Remus,  and  Newton  all  had  at  least  one  trial  through  the  year.  A  mysterious  giver  the  previous  year  had  helped  them  all  out,  though.  What  would  this  year’s  gifts  bring?
O  Christmas  Tree
Gareth  loves  Christmas.  But  more  than  that,  he  loves  Christmas  tree  hunting.  As  the  family  prepares  for their annual  trip,  Gareth  can  barely  contain  his  excitement.  But  what  are  all  the  spray  bottles  for?

Amazon link!

Author Bio:



Faith  Blum  is  a  small-town  Wisconsin  girl.  She’s  lived  in,  or  outside  of,  small towns  her  whole  life.  The thought  of  living  in  a  city  with  more  than  60,000  people  in  it  scares  her,  especially  after  some  interesting adventures  driving  through  big  cities  like  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. Faith  currently  resides  in  the  middle  of  the  state  of  Wisconsin  with  her  husband  and  their  cat,  Smokey. She  is  blessed  to  be  able  to  have  writing  as  her  full-time  career  with  household  work  and  cooking  to  do  on  the  side.  She  loves  to  paint  walls  as  long  as  she  doesn’t  have  to  do  hallways  or  ceilings.
When  not  writing,  you  can  find  her  cooking  food  from  scratch  due  to  food  allergies  (fun),  doing  dishes (meh),  knitting,  crocheting,  sewing,  reading,  or  spending  time  with  her  husband (yay!).  She  is  also  a  Community  Assistant  for  the  Young  Writers  Workshop and  loves  her work  there.  She  loves  to  hear  from  her  readers,  so  feel  free  to  contact  her  on  her  website.


What was the first story you completed?
It’s been a while, so I honestly don’t remember. It was a short story, that much I know for sure. MY first novel I finished was one about twins who did competitive Frisbee throwing.

Who is your biggest inspiration when you write?
I’d say probably God because I write Christian fiction, so He’s the most consistent inspiration.

Of the books you have published, which is your favorite?
That’s like asking a parent to pick a favorite child! But I have answered this before, so I’ll stick with that answer. My novella, Blessed Assurance. I like it because it was my second mystery story I had written and I think it also turned out very well. Plus I would love to be friends with Adelaide.

Out of all your characters which is your least favorite?
Ross. He’s the villain in The Solid Rock and a truly despicable person.

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
My family has some Christmas bulbs. Each one has an Old Testament reference and a New Testament reference. The OT one is the prophecy and the NT one is the fulfillment of the prophecy. It’s one of the things I look forward to the most.
That is my interview with Faith, and I want to thank both authors for letting me interview them!
GIVEAWAY!

Just  like  Rebekah  and  Faith  teamed  up  for  this  tour,  they  have  also  teamed  up  on  the  giveaway!


Grand  Prize:  Paperback  of  each  (US  only)1st  Prize:  eBook  of  each  (International  and  US)2nd  Prize:  eBook  of  choice  (International  and  US)
Click here to enter he GIVEAWAY!
Tour  ScheduleNovember 26
Bookish Orchestrations– Introductory Post
Cover Lover Book Review– Book Spotlights

November 27
Read Another Page– Book Spotlight
Kaylee's Kind Of Writes– Two Book Reviews            
Jaye L. Knight– Excerpts
November 28
Lit Aflame– Book Review and Excerpt
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections– Book Review of His Law is Love
Jenny Berlin– Excerpts
November 29
Frances Hoelsema's Blog– Two Book Spotlights
Rebekah Ashleigh– Review of His Law is Love and Book Spotlights
Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors– Book Review and Spotlight          
Salsa And Tea– Author Interviews. (You’re here!)
November 30
Purely by Faith Reviews– Two Book Reviews
Once Upon An Ordinary– Author Interview and Book Spotlights
In the Bookcase- Excerpts        
December 1
Books, Life, and Christ– Two Book Reviews
Maidens for Modesty– Two Book Reviews
Chosen Vessels– Two Book Reviews   
Harvest Lane Cottage– Two Book Reviews    
Jessica Greyson– Book Spotlights       
Twin Thoughts– Book Spotlights
Heart of the Rose– Two Book Reviews
Read Another Page– Book Spotlight and Review
December 3
Bookish Orchestrations– Giveaway winner

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    Lisa Harris

    Daughter of the King, Wife to one Smokey, Homeschooling Momma to many, entrepreneur, handmade seller here to share life as it happens.

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    Hello! This is me ... or it was about three and a half years ago but well, I'm always behind the camera not in front of it. Thanks for joining me at my little home on the web.

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