After a long break, I'm excited to announce that The Tansy Patch is back! Please check out the new home of The Tansy Patch here: The Tansy Patch.

I'm now a mom of three under 4, and I would love for you to join me on my journey to a simple, Christ-centered life. I share practical tips along the way, things I learn to do and NOT to do in motherhood, time management, money saving, relationships, and life in general.  Most importantly, I share my journey to seek Christ above everything else. Please join me?

A Year in Books: 2015

Because I love old books and new books, libraries, used bookstores, children's books and historical books, novels and biographies, stories and reading and writing and . . . (you get the picture), I am sharing my list of books I read in 2015. There are 65 of them, a record reading year for me!

I divided them by category, not by the order in which I read them, so that I could keep track of what types of books I gravitate towards the most. At the end of this list, I wrote some comments about a few of my book experiences of the year.

I have marked with an R (r) the books that were rereads (ones I had read one or more times previously), and with an asterisk (*) the ones that I especially enjoyed. The books I found particularly unsatisfying/disappointing I have marked with a negative symbol (-).


Mystery:

1. Postern of Fate, Agatha Christie

2. The Secret Adversary, Agatha Christie

3. N or M?, Agatha Christie*

4. Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie 

5. And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie (-)

6. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

7. By the Light of the Study Lamp, Carolyn Keene

8. The Clue in the Old Album, Carolyn Keene

9. The Mystery of the Laughing Shadow, William Arden

Classic:

10. Anne of Green Gables, L. M. Montgomery (r)

11. Anne of Avonlea, L. M. Montgomery (r)

12. Anne of the Island, L. M. Montgomery (r)

13. Anne of Windy Poplars, L. M. Montgomery (r)

14. The Golden Road, L. M. Montgomery

15. To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee (r)*

16. Emma, Jane Austen

17. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte (-)

18. Heidi, Johanna Spyri

Historical/Biographical/Autobiographical:

19. Our Finest Hour: The Triumphant Spirit of America's World War II Generation, LIFE Magazine Publications

20. Lost Childhood: My Life in a Japanese Prison Camp During World War II, Annelex Hofstra Layson 

21. Dear Miss Breed: True Stories of the Japanese American Incarceration During World War II and a Librarian Who Made a Difference, Joanne Oppenheim*

22. The Diary of Petr Ginz, Petr Ginz (-)

23. One Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of World War II, Lita Judge

24. Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II, Martin W. Sandler

25. Charles Dickens and the Street Children of London, Andrea Warren

26. Norman Rockwell: Storyteller with a Brush, Beverly Gherman

27. Louisa May's Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women, Kathleen Krull

28. Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt Throws a Picnic, Leslie Kimmelman

29. Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

30. Brother Andrew: Taking Bibles to the World, Renee Taft Meloche

Fiction:

31. Tallgrass, Sandra Dallas

32. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier*

33. The King's General, Daphne du Maurier

34. Emily's Runaway Imagination, Beverly Cleary (r)*

35. All Through the Night, Grace Livingston Hill

36. The Big Blue Soldier, Grace Livingston Hill

37. The Substitute Guest, Grace Livingston Hill

38. The Year of Miss Agnes, Kirkpatrick Hill

39. Go Set A Watchman, Harper Lee (-)

40. The Giver, Lois Lowry

41. Wonderland Creek, Lynn Austin*

42. The Hundred Dresses, Eleanor Estes

43. Library Lion, Michelle Knudsen

44. Small Town Girl, Ann H. Gabhart

45. The Christmas Angel, Thomas Kinkade

46. The Christmas Box, Richard Paul Evans

47. Nana's Gift, Janette Oke

48. Dear Mr. Knightley, Katherine Reay

Christian Living/Bible Study:

49. Be Satisfied, Warren W. Wiersbe

50. Be Joyful, Warren W. Wiersbe

51. Be Committed, Warren W. Wiersbe

52. Be Rich, Warren W. Wiersbe

53. Be Complete, Warren W. Wiersbe

54. Be Ready, Warren W. Wiersbe

55. The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis

56. Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told, John MacArthur

57. So You Want to Be Like Christ? Eight Essentials to Get You There, Charles R. Swindoll

58. The First 90 Days of Marriage, Eric and Leslie Ludy

59. Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Babies, Steve and Candace Watters

60. The Question of God: C. S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life, Dr. Armand H. Nicholi, Jr.

61. Grace for the Good Girl, Emily P. Freeman*

SciFi/Fantasy:

62. Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury*

63. Summer Morning, Summer Night, Ray Bradbury

Various:

64. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, Neil Postman

65. The Writing Life, Annie Dillard


This year, I was introduced to Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence novels, and I find them to be my favorites of her detectives (not to steal any glory from Miss Marple, another delightful detective). ;)

As you can see, I completed a sizable stack of books pertaining to World War II. That was for a particular pet project of mine that you may hear about in the near future. I have a passion for history, and these books, though some were heart wrenching, were deeply enjoyable and invaluable in the rich past they shared with me.

Rebecca, a 1930s gothic mystery/romance novel by Daphne du Maurier, was the most intense and gripping book I've read in a long while--possibly ever. Honestly, it ranked right up next to Jane Eyre on my list. The atmosphere of the novel is almost tangible--dark, brooding, mysterious. Disappointingly, the book contains a sprinkling of inappropriate words, but they can be marked out and avoided in future rereadings. I am thrilled to have discovered this gem of a story this year.

Being a passionate lover of To Kill A Mockingbird, I read Harper Lee's second novel that (shockingly) was published this year. I found Go Set A Watchman to be rather disappointing and quite unlike her former work. In fact, though I do not know for certain the circumstances of the book's publication, I am inclined to believe, as many articles speculate, that she was taken advantage of, and that her age and poor health were used against her by publishers to gain money and publicity. Perhaps not, but the whole situation seems rather suspicious. 

I discovered an invaluable addition to my Bible study efforts this year in Warren W. Wiersbe's Be series, a collection of commentaries which cover the entire Bible. They are simple enough for the layman to understand, and by reading a chapter a day and the accompanying Scripture portion, I can learn a little a day about the passage that I never knew before and that I can apply to my life.

Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman is another rare treasure that stands out in my memory from the year. It caused me to examine my relationship with God and to make lifestyle-altering decisions. My copy, from a used bookstore, is now highlighted and marked-up throughout every chapter. I definitely plan to use this in a Bible study and share it with others in the future.

If you hope to meet a certain reading goal in 2016, I recommend using goodreads.com to keep track of the books you complete. It's fun, free, and easy, and seeing all the books I've read on the site motivates me to keep reading! What is your goal for 2016?

5 Books That Changed My Life

When I look back on all the spiritually challenging books I've read over the course of high school, college, and now my first year of married life, I can identify five books that have most impacted me. These are not wimpy devotionals that barely skim the surface of Scripture. No, these are powerful, piercing books that dare to delve deeply into the wonders of God's Word. And as truly deep as they are, these still manage to speak effectively to everyday people--like me. They are not difficult to read, but if you decide to plunge into them, be prepared for your faith, your perspective, to be shaken. 

1. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, Ann Voskamp

2. Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis

3. The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom

4. Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life, Emily P. Freeman

5. A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live, Emily P. Freeman

I recommend reading these with a highlighter handy, and to dig the most treasures out of these books, have your Bible, a notebook, and a pen close by, too. Read them with a willing heart and the mindset of a treasure-hunter. There is no telling how many spiritual jewels you will glean from them. 

[When I Feel Like] God Doesn't Want to Hear From Me

God doesn't want to hear from me. I failed Him again.

The shame rushes through her mind, repeats itself, a rhythm of guilt.

I haven't truly entered into prayer for days. I've prayed only at meal times.

I haven't studied my Bible in a week. I've barely skimmed the Scriptures. 

My heart and mind have been distracted.

I've placed my daily activities ahead of Christ. 

God is angry with me. My shortcomings far outnumber my successes this week. Again.

Do these thoughts sound familiar? 

As a girl, she is particularly accustomed to measuring her worth by her performance. It's the only life she knows--gauging her success by the number of people she can please. Her parents, her teachers, her friends, her church family. One day her husband. And of course, God.

But what if this is not the way God intended for her to live? What if He doesn't want to be another Person on her checklist? What if He doesn't ask her to perform to please Him?

You see, she is fallible, full of error, just like every other human being on this earth. She may sometimes succeed in impressing others with her performance, even those closest to her. But she will never impress God.

And that's okay.

God does not ask her to impress Him. He asks her to trust.

You see, just like many other Christians, she feels that when she fails God--when she sins or allows other people or things to creep into His place, when she neglects spending time with Him, when she lets dust build up on her prayer journal--God despises her. God is sickened at the sight of her. God rejects her.

She's used to rejection, because often her lifelong performance fails to please people in her life, and they reject her.

But God doesn't work like that. 

Does He desire that we spend time with Him? Absolutely. Does He command us to study the Scriptures and to pray? Absolutely. 

But when we fail, God still loves us. He is not sickened at the sight of us. He longs for a glimpse. He yearns for our homecoming, for our returning, for our repentance.

You see, repentance is not a once-in-a-lifetime experience that occurs at the time of salvation. Repentance is a continual surrender, a regular pattern in the life of the Christian. A turning away from--a shunning of--the sins that beset us.

The longer she waits in fear and self-loathing, the longer she rejects the forgiveness, the grace, that God has to offer, the harder it becomes for her to return to Him.

God does not ask us to perform. He asks us to trust. He asks us to learn and cherish His Word, to pour out our hearts to Him, to obey, because we love Him. This lifestyle will naturally result from His redemption in ours hearts. It will flow from us, just as His grace, His love, flow into us and fill us up again. 

This is not our performance--a contest to please. This is our lifestyle--a commitment to love.

When we fail, we must not run from Him but to Him. Knowing that we will fail again. But knowing also this: that He will not fail to forgive. 

Do not allow another day, another hour, another moment, to pass. Run to Him and re-enter into the unsurpassed delights of studying and cherishing the Scriptures, of pouring out your prayers to the God Who cares, and of basking in the lavish grace He bestows.

The Father still welcomes home the Prodigal.

5 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

Writing is a wonderful exercise for children (and indeed, adults). It builds valuable skills such as thinking, reasoning, researching, spelling, handwriting, and expanding vocabulary. Plus, the essays and stories they come up with make special, fun keepsakes for their parents and for the children's own families someday. Try a few creative writing prompts to get kids writing! Consider letting them illustrate their compositions. It adds a whole new level of fun.

1. It is wintertime on the prairie during the days of the pioneers. You and your family live in a little log cabin, and you are snowed in. What do you do to pass the long hours? 

2. You have found a way to travel back in time. What time period would you choose to visit? Why? Who would you like to meet during your visit?

3. You live in a small farming town during the Great Depression. What do you do to help your family during these difficult times? Is there a special talent or desire God has given you that you would use?

4. You and your family visit the zoo. Your mom or dad says that you can choose one animal to take home with you to be your pet! Which animal would you choose, and why? What would you name him/her?

5. Your parents have asked you to come up with a new Christmastime tradition for your family to start. What tradition do you invent? Why?

Knock Out Bronchitis Naturally: 7 Easy Steps

My six-month battle with bronchitis a couple of years ago left me frustrated and exhausted. I had been to the doctor numerous times and had tried several types of antibiotics, cough suppressants, inhalers, and other prescribed remedies. I was losing sleep and patience. Finally, in desperation, my mom and I began a search online for home remedies. At this point, I was willing to try just about anything. And do you know what? The day I started trying these simple remedies, I started feeling better. And within weeks, we had knocked out my bronchitis completely.
I definitely do not oppose visiting a doctor when you are sick, especially with something as serious as bronchitis can be. And I do not oppose taking prescribed medicines or antibiotics when they are needed. But I do want to share what worked the best for me. Antibiotics are often futile against bronchitis, and they have adverse effects on many people's bodies--the biggest of which is cleaning out your good stomach bacteria along with the bad. This can leave your stomach vulnerable to all kinds of serious health issues. I've been there and want to help others avoid it.
I've eliminated bronchitis three times using these basic remedies. So why not at least give them a try?

1. Toss some shredded thyme into a pot of water and heat it to boiling. When it begins to steam, remove the pot from the stove. Hold a towel over your head and carefully lean your face over the pot. Breathe in the steam for a few minutes. Repeat this ritual several times a day, always being careful not to place your face too close to the hot pot to avoid being burned.

2. Take hot showers, breathing in the steam.

3. Eat hot, healthful soups, especially chicken noodle and vegetable.

4. Drink a lot of water--at least six to eight glasses a day.Make a few of those glasses warm water with half a lemon squeezed in it.

5. Drink 100% fruit juices. Check the bottle for amount of vitamin C. A lot of juices actually have 100% or more of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in just one 8-oz. glass full. Vitamin C is a great builder-upper of your immune system.

6. Rest. When you feel tired, take a nap if possible. Do not feel guilty about resting when your body needs it. Get the recommended amount of sleep each night. This truly works wonders toward healing your body.

7. Be patient. It is normal for bronchitis symptoms to last 4 weeks. If they do not seem to be improving by that time, or if they are only growing worse, you may want to see a doctor. A bacterial infection such as pneumonia may possibly be at the core of the problem. Natural remedies can work wonders, but if you are seriously ill, outside medical attention is very important. There is nothing wrong with taking medicine when needed.

I hope these tips prove as helpful to you as they have been to me!

*Note: All of these home remedies are safe to use while pregnant, except for the thyme mentioned. It has not been proven safe for pregnancy, but you can still breathe steam without the thyme. The steam is the more important part of the remedy.

7 MORE Highly Effective Habits of the Frugal Household

1. Cook small dishes in the toaster oven.
If you need to cook a small casserole or dessert or an amount of meat that can fit in a small dish, use your toaster oven to cook it, rather than wasting electricity heating up the large oven. Of course, if you need to use the large oven, cook as much of your meal as you can in it, so that you do not often have to use both ovens. This is a simple habit that will save on your electricity bill.

2. Turn off unnecessary lights.
Use good old-fashioned sunlight streaming in the windows during the day, and try lamps at night. You can certainly use larger lights when you need to, but try to use energy-efficient LED bulbs. It really does make a difference.

3. Skip junk-food snacks at the grocery store.
Snacks empty of nutrition may taste great from time to time, but in addition to their negative effects on your body, they also eat up dollars like nobody's business. Stick to buying healthful foods that fill you up and nourish your body, and skip filling up your grocery budget with snack crackers, potato chips, and packaged cookies.

4. Rent movies from Redbox.
Seriously. A $1 rental makes a lot more sense than an average-cost theater ticket or a $20-$25 DVD. Yes, you can wait until the movie goes to Redbox. You will survive. If you rent it and decide you absolutely love it and must own it, then buy the DVD. But if you don't love it, you've spent only $1 to see it and know not to waste your money on the DVD.

5. Create your own cards for special occasions.
Keep a small (or large) supply of scrapbook paper and a set of rubber alphabet stamps on hand. Have a good pair of scissors, some tape, and a few old cereal or granola bar boxes, and you're in business. Making your own cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions takes a little time, but it saves a lot of money in the long run. Plus, a handmade card is twice as special as a store-bought one.

6. Take advantage of your local library.
Yes, there are still such places as libraries, where physical books line the shelves, and you are free to borrow them at no cost whatsoever. It's a wonderful, age-old system that I hope never becomes obsolete. Most libraries even have a website that allows you to search for books and request them. When the book you wish to borrow has arrived at the library, they will notify you, and you can go pick it up. Convenient and fast. Of course, some people enjoy perusing the shelves slowly and picking out a stack of books. Also, most libraries have a DVD section and an audiobook section. These may all be free, or a small fee may be charged to borrow them. Either way, this is a cheap, perhaps even free, and fun way to bring a little culture, entertainment, and education into your life.

7. Reuse plastic shopping bags.
This is extremely easy to do. After unpacking your groceries or other items bought from stores, save the plastic bags in a designated location. Reuse them to line small trash cans, to keep trash corralled in the car, to carry lunches to work, to store dirty clothes on a trip, and in numerous other creative ways. Obviously, be sure to throw away bags that have held meat packages or other grocery items that contain dangerous germs, and store the bags where small children cannot get into them. You want to be always on the safe side, as small children place random objects on their heads sometimes!
 

5 Best Books for Summertime

1. To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee
"If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
Experience life in 1930s small-town Alabama through the eyes of Scout Finch, a spunky little girl whose lawyer father makes the unpopular decision to defend a "colored man." One of those rare literary treasures that will hold you in its grip from start to finish. (Contains inappropriate language. I suggest marking out the bad words as you read through it the first time so that you and anyone who borrows the book from you can enjoy future readings without the presence of those words.)

2. Fireflies in December, Jennifer Erin Valent
"That light is bright enough to light up a little speck of the night sky so a man can see it a ways away. That's what God expects us to do. We're to be lights in the dark, cold days that are this world. Like fireflies in December."
Another 1930s Southern town is the setting for this intriguing novel. Prejudice, mystery, suspense, adolescence, and a little romance blend to weave a magic spell that will leave you "hankerin'" for more. Thank goodness, there are two more books in the series that are every bit as inspiring as the first. Cottonwood Whispers and Catching Moondrops are the next two books that should grace your summer reading list.

3. Once Upon A Summer, Janette Oke
"'Yes, He could have. He could let us go through all of our life, bundlin’ us and shelterin’ us from anything and everything that would hurt us. I could do that with my petunias, Josh. I could build a box around them and keep them from the wind and the rain, the crawlers and the bees. What would happen iffen I did that, Josh?'” I jest shrugged. The answer was too obvious. 'They’d never bear flowers,' said Auntie Lou.” 
The first in the Seasons of the Heart series, Once Upon A Summer is a beautiful, tender story filled with endearing characters. Enter the simple prairie days where trials and triumphs fill summer days, and love, family, and laughter may change but will never truly end. After the first book, you'll want to experience more of life with these beloved characters in Winds of Autumn, Winter is Not Forever, and Spring's Gentle Promise.

4. Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories, Agatha Christie 
"Everybody is very much alike, really. But fortunately, perhaps, they don't realize it." 
 If you're in the mood for a mystery, drink your fill with this collection of short stories starring the lovable Miss Marple, old lady detective and knitter. Murder, intrigue, humor, suspense, poison, surprise . . . these stories have it all. Liven up your summer with a little mystery.

5. Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury
"I mustn't forget, I'm alive, I know I'm alive. I mustn't forget it tonight or tomorrow or the day after that." 
The magic of summertime is described more vividly by Bradbury in this book than by any other author I have encountered. His descriptions flow from the page like the dandelion wine he uses to symbolize summertime. Become young Douglas Spaulding, just discovering how to really live in Green Town, Illinois, 1928. Parts of the story are eerie and dark, parts witty and endearing--but all of it is full of life and meaning, every word. (May contain one or two inappropriate words)

Real Beauty is . . . Loving Yourself?

We get the message often. A Christian girl should ignore what pop culture tells her about her worth. She should not seek true beauty in her appearance. She should not compare her body, hair, or skin to that of other women. She should accept herself for who she is. Essentially, she should love herself.

But the truth? The message I want to shout to every girl? It's this. No, you are not your hair or your skin or the shape of your body. No, you are not your clothes or your shoes or your nails. 
But, no you are not your personality or your dreams or your "inner you," either.

You are your soul. You are a part of you that no one can see. You are God's. Do you hear me? You belong to God. 

Real beauty is not gained by loving yourself as you are. It is gained by loving God.

Real beauty is not gained by accepting yourself because you're special. It is gained by reaching always higher, away from mediocrity and toward Christ's holiness.

Real beauty is not gained by becoming confident in yourself. It is gained by trusting God. By realizing that you need Him.

So when you hear another pep talk for girls that encourages you to be confident in yourself and your abilities and to love the way you look, think about this: Does the world really need more people to love themselves? Is there truly a need for more narcissism in our culture? Or is there a need for humble, courageous women who love God and others above themselves?

Special Announcement!

The new rotation of topics has been slightly interrupted this week. I had a wonderful visit home for Mother's Day weekend. And folks, family time takes precedence. Today, my husband and I have a special announcement to share.

We have been blessed beyond measure. Our Heavenly Father is growing a little baby inside me! :)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Was this planned?

A: Yes, absolutely.

Q: So you wanted to start your family this soon after marriage? (We got married in January.)

A: Yes, we can't wait to meet the children God has planned for us and to begin growing our family.

Please be in prayer for our precious baby and for us as we go through pregnancy and prepare to be a Mommy and Daddy. :)

The Desperate Need for Brave Christian Women

It takes courage to dress modestly. To stand out from the crowd. To bear hurtful comments and rude looks from the world.

It takes courage to keep silent in a group of gossiping girls. More courage still, to boldly but gently speak against their slander of another.

It takes courage to ask a friend to watch her language in your presence. To ask the person, man or woman, with a polite and proper attitude.

It takes courage to stand by Biblical convictions. To show grace toward the unsaved all the while. To bar legalism from clutching your heart.

It takes courage to admit to your friends that you have not seen the movie they are raving about, because it contains content displeasing to God. 


It takes courage to be a true Christian in this world. It takes courage because this world represents all that God abhors. The world mocks God and his followers. Oh, they accept cowardly Christians. They accept wholeheartedly the "Christian" who attends church each Sunday dressed just like the world. They accept the "Christian" who basks in sin every day. The "Christian" who loves the same shows the world does, revels in the same music, and laughs at others who are not just like them.

I know peer pressure is real. I know it affects boys and girls, teenagers, and men and women of all ages. I know everyone wants to "fit in." But the truth is, let's face it: Giving in to peer pressure is the coward's way out. Dressing, acting, speaking, living like everyone else while claiming to be a Christian--this is the chosen path of the coward. Yikes. Our churches are full of cowards. Our Christian schools brim with them. And where cowards gather, lives are wasted. Joy is absent. The presence of God is disturbingly lacking. And the work God wants to do through His people is given to the courageous.

Christian women, don't you dare compromise your convictions to satisfy your craving for attention, for acceptance. Don't you dare let your desire to have your body praised overshadow your desire to please God. Don't you dare let your craving for friendship cause you to join in that conversation that violates your conscience. Don't you dare make fun of someone for her high standards, to her face or behind her back. Don't you dare be a coward. Dare to be a brave Christian woman. The world is in desperate need of them.

"Godly womanhood . . . the very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other type of women: beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career women, talented women, divorced women. But so seldom do we hear of a godly woman--or of a godly man either, for that matter. . . It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife than to be Miss America . . . It is a far, far better thing in the realms of morals to be old-fashioned, than to be ultra-modern. The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct."
~Reverend Peter Marshall, former Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, 1940s

My Go-To, Feel-Good Movie

This is The Tansy Patch's first official post for The Weekly Review, our new Monday tradition. To start off right, I decided to review my favorite all-around movie. My go-to, feel-good movie that I usually watch at least once a month. Seriously.  Folks, I introduce to you Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, a 1954 musical masterpiece.

 

Crammed into 102 minutes are singing, dancing, fighting, kidnapping, and so much more. And the best part? It's all hilarious. Yes, even the kidnapping. But what else could you expect from a movie with songs such as "I'm a Lonesome Polecat," "Bless Your Beautiful Hide," and "Goin' Courtin'?"

When Adam Pontipee sets his mind to something, there's no turning back. This time, he's determined to find himself a wife. The only problem is, he neglects to tell the little lady that she'll be living with and caring for not just him, but his six brothers, as well. In all, that's seven wild frontiersmen with less-than-pristine manners and habits, to word it mildly. Can one woman change this family of rugged men for the better? And once they capture the hearts of the ladies they love, will they ever get to marry them? Or will the well-mannered town boys snatch the girls up first? It seems that large-scale, organized kidnapping may be the only solution . . .

I grew up with this movie, and I can say without hesitation, I've never outgrown it. Don't believe I ever will. If you're in the mood to just relax, laugh, and forget your troubles for a little while, pop in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It's definitely one of my favorite companions for a snack-and-project night or a sick day pick-me-up. It's great for a sleepover, too. You just can't go wrong with this classic musical.

A Year Without Grease: Taking Back my Health

This May marks for me one year in which I have avoided all fast food that does not nourish my health. Yes, that means no fast-food burgers, french fries, fried chicken (strips, nuggets, or sandwiches), and no soft drinks. It marks one year in which I have consumed almost no fried food except that which is fried in olive oil or coconut oil. It marks one year in which I have eaten no potato chips except baked ones. It marks one year since I realized I had to make some drastic changes in order to gain my health back. I wouldn't trade all the fries in the world for that.

Why? You see, last year I was given antibiotics for a small illness and was not told of the dangers they can pose. I was not told that they would clean my stomach of the good bacteria along with the bad. I had never heard of that before. But they did, and I was left with serious health problems. I soon felt sick every day, and eating even a small amount of food made me feel far too full. Then, foods with grease in them caused almost unbearable stomach pain, and the doctors I went to merely handed me more medicine. Pain medicine, antibiotics, and medicine to repair the lining of my stomach, which they suspected was basically worn away.
I was given morphine one night in the emergency room that did not even phase the pain. Yes, it was a traumatic time for me. Though doctors ruled out more serious causes, they never did find out exactly what was wrong. They said it was likely a combination of a shortage on good bacteria, a severely damaged stomach lining, and probably an ulcer. I appreciate the doctors who worked with me and did help me greatly, but I was not finding any answers for how to gain back my health. In desperation, my mom and I began researching and turning to natural methods of healing. We were determined to save my health.

First, I eliminated items that seemed to irritate the problem and cause pain. That meant I had to say goodbye to Bojangles' chicken strips, Burger King's whopper juniors, even Chick-fil-A's classic chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. Any pizza not made in olive oil had to go. (Okay, so I did have a small portion of hushpuppies at several points throughout the year; for some reason they do not seem to bother me in small amounts.) ;) Was it hard for me to give up those things that I enjoy? Yes, it was difficult, but not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Having experienced the crippling pain that followed the consumption of these foods, I did not consider them to be worth the risk at all. I determined to rid my diet of all unhealthful food. My mom was an absolute lifesaver in this endeavor (Aren't moms always lifesavers?) She cooked delicious, healthful meals while I was living at home, and as I observed, I learned how to cook nutritiously for my family someday, as well. Now, being married since January, the skills I learned from my mom are invaluable. My husband and I enjoy nutritious, tasty meals, and we are thankful to have established our home this way from the beginning of our marriage.

What fast food places can I still enjoy? Let's be honest. Sometimes, we all just need to stop somewhere and grab a quick meal. Some days are like that, and there's nothing wrong with it. When I need a fast to-go meal, or when I'm traveling with a group and have to eat where they want to stop, I can almost always find options.  
My favorite fast food places to enjoy now are:

• Chick-fil-A, where I can choose from such items as chicken noodle soup, a grilled chicken sandwich, a chicken salad sandwich, a salad (without fried chicken on it), or a yogurt parfait
• Panera bread, where I can eat many of their sandwiches, soups, salads, and pasta
• Subway, where I can choose from all kinds of scrumptious options
• Bojangles, where I can enjoy a country ham biscuit (or another type of biscuit) and several side options
• Cook Out, where I can enjoy a char-grilled chicken sandwich with honey mustard and lettuce

(Of course, most of these options involve gluten, which I can eat but not in large amounts. If you suspect that gluten may be causing you pain or other problems, try limiting yourself to a small amount weekly to see if it makes a difference.)

Are there options at other common fast food places? Yes.  Almost every fast food place offers salads or chicken wraps now. Many have grilled chicken options. Salads tend to be more expensive, but for better health, the few extra dollars is worth it. 

Have I really experienced a notable difference in my health? Absolutely. I am still on the road to recovery, but these changes in diet have eliminated the terrible stomach pains and the daily sickness. It took time, effort, and prayer. I went through frustration, discouragement, and tears in this battle for my stomach health. I am not 100% yet, but I have progressed farther than I ever thought I could.

Did just eating healthfully make all the difference? No, there is one other habit I have formed this year that helped tremendously. And I intend to continue the habit for the rest of my life. I take a high-quality probiotic capsule every day. In an upcoming post, I will share what brand of probiotics I use and why I like them so much!
Last, the major objective that has caused such big improvement in my health is God. My Heavenly Father has heard every prayer and been with me every step of the way. He has provided wisdom and answers, and He has used many factors to heal my body. He continues to heal me, and I praise Him!

$5.99 Goodwill Trunk Re-do

All you need is a little creativity, vision, and determination. Plus some paint. This Goodwill find gave me hours of fun last summer. 

I used:

• Deep red paint (sample size jar from Lowe's) Mine was free with a promotional coupon, but at any given time you can buy this size for $3
• Painter's tape
• Sturdy paintbrush
• Wood/furniture stain
• Plastic tarp underneath (to keep paint off the living room floor)

All you need to do for a project like this is:

• Be sure your item is on plastic or cardboard before you begin painting.
• Tape off areas you don't want painted (For me, that was the metal edging and the clasp and locks).
• Brush on several coats of your desired paint color. Be thorough and neat. Wait for each layer to dry before you add the next.
• After the last coat is dry, remove the painter's tape carefully and use a small brush to fill in any details you missed.
• When all is dry, rub on a thin layer of furniture stain (This gives it a richer color and a rustic appearance). You can use a paintbrush or a cloth for this. I recommend a cloth, but be sure it is one you wish to retire for crafty projects. The stain will never come out of it!
• You may have to add another layer of stain to achieve your desired look. 
• Finally, if you want to make a trunk into a coffee table like I did, measure the length and width of it across the top and have a piece of plexiglass cut to fit it (I did this at Lowe's). You can even add industrial wheels or legs to the trunk--a final step I plan to do but have not gotten around to yet.
• Last tip: To make the project more fun, I did it in the living room while my mom did her own painting project beside me. We watched black-and-white movies and episodes of Father Knows Best and stayed up way too late. Doing projects with your loved ones and/or while watching or listening to something makes them all the more fun and memorable!
• Okay, seriously the last tip: If you have long hair, please put it all up while you paint. I learned this the hard way. Yes, I dragged my long ponytail through red paint. Yikes. Thankfully, it washed right out--with several handfuls of shampoo. . . ;)

5 Simple Ways YOU Can Make Time to Read

For me, reading is a must. If I don't have time, I make time. It's as simple as that. As a lifelong, self-proclaimed bibliophile, I get awfully tired of hearing numerous people complain that they just don't have time for reading. If you are one of those, please take the time (if you can spare it in your hectic schedule) to read this post and hear my case.

1. Read during the time you would normally spend on facebook, pinterest, or other websites for recreation. GASP. A shocking suggestion? I know. This can be difficult even for me, but I happen to believe the benefits of reading good books far outweigh the benefits of hours a day spent on social media. Even using a fraction of your internet time for reading will benefit you.

2. Listen to audio books. Yes, I understand some may see this as cheating. But if you can't make the time to read, at least turn on a classic and let some great literature seep into your soul as you cook dinner, sweep the floor, scrub the shower, or wind down for bedtime. I see it as using spare minutes wisely, and daily chores become much more lively when you can solve a case with Sherlock Holmes or fall off a roof with Anne Shirley while grilling your supper. Several online sites offer free audiobooks. I regularly use Lit2go. Website: etc.usf.edu/lit2go/

3. Carry a book with you at all times. When you find yourself waiting at a doctor's office or riding in a car, pull out your book and "redeem your time." Use it wisely instead of squandering it. Since I learned to read at age five, I have been known as the girl who always has a book with her. Throughout my growing up years, I carried a "fun book" (meaning a non-assigned book) to school every day (and completely fell apart if I accidentally left it at home). I carried one to church (no, I did not read during the services). I carried one in my bag just to run errands around town. And I took a sizable stack on overnight trips. What has changed about this habit since I've become an adult? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I feel ridiculously panicked if I'm stuck anywhere without a book. And I'm not ashamed.

4. Keep digital books on your phone, tablet, or other devices you carry with you. In the event that you forget to bring a physical book, pull out your device and read. I upload free classics regularly on my phone and kindle. That way, even if I don't have a tangible book tucked in my purse, I need not despair. I can pull up David Copperfield and indulge in Dickens right on my little screen.

5. Just do it! Discipline yourself. Pick out a book that sounds interesting to YOU. Pick it up and start it. And you know what? If you don't like it after you've given it a fair try, it's okay to just put it down and forget about it. Don't force yourself through a book you don't like (unless it's an assignment you must complete, of course). I have read partway through many books that I decided were not worth my valuable time. I snapped them shut and never opened them again. There have also been many books I began and found uninteresting but felt that they may get better. These I have set aside and tried again at a later date, and on the second or third try, some of these got tossed and some I discovered to be wonderful once I got into them properly. So make your own judgment calls and enjoy yourself. There is nothing else in this whole vast world like becoming lost in a good book. You may quote me on that.
 
If you truly desire to read, I believe you will make time. I rest my case.

7 Creative Ways to Celebrate Anne of Green Gables

With the recent passing of Jonathan Crombie, the actor who perfectly portrayed Gilbert Blythe, articles and reminisces about Anne of Green Gables are popping up everywhere. Unashamedly, I admit that the Anne-girl and Gil will forever hold a special place in my heart. In my growing-up days, my mom and two sisters and I chose one night every summer to have an Anne marathon. We watched all twelve hours of the miniseries straight through. Often, my dad joined in for a few hours, too. Anne of Green Gables is not just for ladies. It's my grandpa's favorite movie. Anne speaks to the hearts of kindred spirits everywhere, women and men alike.
Here are a few creative ways to celebrate Anne of Green Gables and to keep her one-of-a-kind personality alive in your home and heart.

1. Watch the miniseries. Yes, this is rather obvious, but many have not yet seen these breath-taking films, and I implore those who have not to do so immediately!

2. Read the original Anne books by L. M. Montgomery. PLEASE do not stop after book number one. Why? Because as wonderful as it is, the first book is actually my least favorite in the series. They get better. Growing up with Anne in all of her phases of life through these books--from girlhood, to young womanhood, to becoming a wife and a mother--is an experience you do not want to miss. I read the series for the first time in 9th grade, and I am currently rereading them at age 21. It has been far too long.
The series in order: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside

3. Listen to the audiobooks with your family. Introduce your family, especially your little girls, to Anne. Audiobooks can be played on car trips, during spring cleaning, before bedtime, during exercise hour, etc.

4. Learn "Anne's Theme" on the piano. My dad says the Anne of Green Gables theme song by Hagood Hardy is the most beautiful song ever composed, and I tend to agree with him. The sheet music can be ordered online.

5. Make an Anne-inspired craft. Use fancy lettering and watercolor pencils to write one of Anne's inspiring quotes and frame it in your room. Or decoupage a quote onto a journal cover. Try one of these quotes:
"It's not what the world holds for you. It's what you bring to it."
"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"
"Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you."
Stitch an Anne-inspired embroidery (perhaps a quote or a silhouette of Anne, Diana, or Gilbert). What other Anne-girl crafts can you think of? Be creative!

6. Give your hair an old-fashioned Anne style. Try one of Anne's beautiful, fluffy buns or her classic French braids. Tutorials can be found on Pinterest and from many other online sources.

7. Make Marilla's famous raspberry cordial. But don't mix it up with her red currant wine! ;) 
Recipe: Nourishing Simplicity: Marilla's Raspberry Cordial

Cheddar Bacon Chicken

Try out this 4-ingredient dish. One of the easiest chicken recipes there is, but it tastes amazing! 

Time: approx. 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• Chicken tenderloins
• Season salt
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Bacon

1. Allow chicken tenderloins to thaw (if frozen). 
2. Place chicken in glass baking dish and sprinkle with season salt.
3. Lay sliced cheddar cheese across chicken, so that the top is covered.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes.
5. While chicken is baking, cook your bacon in the desired way (fried, microwaved, etc.).
6. When chicken is almost done, carefully remove it from the oven and crumble the bacon on top.

Side dish suggestion: Green beans. Not too salty, not too sweet, green beans are the perfect compliment to this cheesy bacon goodness.

I threw these ingredients together one night this week to see how they would taste, and it was a huge success. My husband and I had no leftovers that night, I assure you. As simple as this recipe is, I am sure it is not my own original invention. But I wanted to share this scrumptious, easy recipe with you. Try it and enjoy!

5 Ways to Interest Children in Reading

Practical Tips for Parents (Handy for teachers, tutors, and other concerned adults, too!)


1. Take them to the library.  
A plethora of stories and facts await you at the library. Give your children an allotted amount of time to pick out age-appropriate books. Let them choose the books for themselves that they want to borrow. Do take a look at their selections to be sure they are clean and fitting, and do guide them to some that you know to be the best. But be sure you give them a chance to choose their own, as well. This helps to create excitement, as the children feel they are hunting for "hidden treasures" among the books.

2. Read to them.
"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." ~Emilie Buchwald
Choose the cream of the crop--the best books you remember from your childhood or time-tested classics--and read these books to your children. Use expression. Change your voice around when you read different characters' dialogue. Read with energy and excitement. Introduce your children to the pure, priceless magic of a well-told story. 

3. Discover topics that interest them.
"There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book." ~Frank Serafini
If you have not yet learned by simple observation and by listening to your children, ask them what topics interest them. Once you discover these topics, help your children to find books pertaining to the subjects. Is your little boy fascinated by insects, hurricanes, airplanes, or grizzly bears? Does your little girl love to learn about horses, princesses, Laura Ingalls Wilder, or caterpillars? Find age-appropriate books that cover these topics, and share them with your children. (Be sure if secular books contain false ideologies such as evolution, you explain the error of this thinking to your children.)

4. Have them read to you. 
Let them share their favorite books with you. Show them that you are interested in the same books that they are. It will be exciting to them to introduce Mom or Dad to a new treasure they have found. Listen with interest, and gently help them when they mispronounce a word or stumble in their reading. Be sure to commend them on their strong points and improvements.

5. Help them keep a record of the books they complete. 
Nothing stirs motivation like keeping track of accomplishment! Help your children keep track of the books they read by writing them in a list (example: Tyler's Summer Reading List or Books Emily Read in 2015). If you prefer, use goodreads.com to keep a digital record of your children's books. I do this myself, and I find that it motivates me to read more when I can look back at my accomplishments from the preceding months. If you would like, you could even reward your children once they reach a certain number of completed books. Perhaps an ice cream treat or a dinner date with Mom or Dad. Make reading exciting!