The Husband Project

OKAY Friends !! I have two websites I really want you to check out....you won't be sorry.There is a book that I really want you to check out. It's The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp.

Go to http://www.kathi@kathilipp.com and read all about it. Great stuff !!! It's a 21-Day project and no matter how long you've been married, you'll find great ideas and inspiration to make your marriage better. I've been married 37 years, almost all of them happy :)

(those first few years were a little rough)

and I see all kinds of ways I can work at

making our very happy marriage

even happier.

ALSO ----

Melanie at Bella-Mella is hosting a 5 Day Mini Project on the Husband Project, starting soon, and I'd love for you to check that out as well.

http://www.bellamella-melanie.blogspot.com/ and read all about it. Melanie is a blog friend of mine that I've been following for several months now. She is fun and creative and a woman of spiritual depth and you will love her and her blog !

OKAY then --

that's all for now.

I do have a super sandwich recipe

to share with you....

I've declared it

THE BEST sandwich EVER !!!!

Cool and summery.

I'll share it maybe later today.

Right now --- gotta go help William with the

mowing and weedeating.

Talk to you later,

Gwynie Pie

Early Friday Morning Back Porch Sittin'

What a fine Friday morning it is here in my corner of the world.

It is just now 8 a.m. and already over 80 degrees on my shady back porch.

It's gonna be a hot one !!

As I sit here rocking....

this is my view.

Notice the cotton in the field beyond the fence....we've had

just enough rain and lots!!! of HOT

and it's really lookin' pretty good.

Moving to the right----

That is the original coffee grinder from

the Mereta General Store.

Aren't you glad someone got that size thing

under control....or else we'd all have a

big ol' iron monstrosity sitting in our

kitchens right next to the coffee pot.

:)

That's also a shopping cart from the store

holding pool towels and sunscreens and

bug sprays.

And this is a screen, made from the interior

doors from my grandparents house --

it serves as a privacy screen (our

"next door neighbor" would need binoculars

to see us, but still....)

but mostly, the screen is a sound break

since the A/C unit is just beyond.

So, that's my view of the world this morning...

What's yours???

Have a very Happy Friday and

a wonderful weekend !!!

Gwynie Pie

Going Green Part 2

There are many companies who now make "green" products. That means biodegradable, natural, not toxic to you or yours ---

at least that what it should mean.

Read the labels!!! on any cleaning product

you are buying.

As with food -- if you can't pronounce it --

you might want to leave it on the shelf

or at least look it up and see for yourself what

ingredients it contains.

Nature's Source by SC Johnson

Green Works by Clorox

Method

Seventh Generation

Shaklee and others

all make a line of natural, environmentally friendly

products.

That said -- here are a few of the

oh so cheap, cheap, cheap !!!!

products you can make very, very simply

AND since the main ingredient in almost all

cleaning products - natural or otherwise -

is water, I figure I'll just do it myself, thank you.

I really thought I would have to sacrifice quality

in order to use these items BUT

really --- I am so pleased with how they work.

The quality is as good or better than those I have retired.

Here are a few of the recipes I have discovered online.

Just Google "natural cleaning products" if you are interested

in expanding your line of cleaners ---

GLASS CLEANER --

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup water

Mix in a clean spray bottle.

(Walmart is where I got mine)

FURNITURE POLISH

1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup lemon juice

Mix and store in a glass jar.

To use - Dip in with a cloth, reseal jar immediately

and polish furniture.

DEODERIZER

Straight vinegar

in a spray bottle.

The smell will dissipate fairly quickly.

Your house/car will not smell like a giant pickle for long.

And nothing kills odor like it!

MOLD KILLER

ALSO - did you know that straight vinegar kills 82% of all mold.

So, spray on and let it sit on any areas where you are fighting mold.

Another mold fighter is

2 teaspoons tea tree oil

2 cup water

in spray bottle. Spray on. Do Not Rinse

For CLEANING CUTTING BOARDS, COUNTERTOPS

White vinegar in one spray bottle

3% hydrogen peroxide in one spray bottle

Spray one on area, then the other

Wipe off. Germs killed !!!

FABRIC SOFTENER

Add 1/2 cup - 1 cup straight vinegar

to the rinse cycle.

There will be absolutely no vinegar smell,

just fresh clothes.

Works great !!

AND super cheap !

DEGREASER

2 cup warm water

1/2 cup Murphy's oil soap

in spray bottle.

Cuts grease on stovetops, counters, floors

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

2 tablespoons ammonia

1 teaspoon dish detergent

2 cups rubbing alcohol

a couple drops orange essential oil

(TOTALLY optional)

Mix in gallon jug. Fill spray bottle to use.

You get essential oils at health food stores -- all fragrances.

And a few drops can be added to any of these products.

But, I prefer no smell at all since I almost always have

a fragrance plugged in to wall plugs throughout the house.

FLOOR CLEANER

1 gallon warm water

1 cup vinegar

Mix in pail or sink.

Works on vinyl or laminate floors

Same recipe for wood floors -- just 1/2 cup vinegar instead of 1 cup

and dry floor as you go.

SCRUBBER

for dirty dishes, crusty pans, stubborn surfaces

Cut a lemon in half

Sprinkle with baking soda

Scrub away.....smells great, cuts grease and grime.

Try some of these. You might be pleasantly surprised

as I have been at the quality.

My house still smells good.

AND I get to avoid the "cleaner" aisle at the store now.

AND I'm saving significant $$$$$.

Just wanted you to know,

Gwynie Pie

Going Green

CAST OF CHARACTERS

White vinegar

Murphy's Oil Soap

Dawn Dish liquid

Borax (and all of it's 20 mules)

Baking soda

Rubbing alcohol

Hydrogen peroxide, 3%

Today is the day ! I've been researching and experimenting and testing

different methods of natural, biodegradable cleaning

for several weeks/months actually.

Everytime I cleaned my shower with those

cute little "guys with big white brushy moustaches",

the ones that were going to remove hard water scale and make my

shower sparkly clean,

the ones in the spray can with the lemony scent ---

I would find it difficult to breathe while spraying my shower

down so I would hold my breath 'til I 'd nearly

pass out. Then I'd evacuate the bathroom until the lemony, yet noxious

fumes died down a bit. Then go back in to finish the job.

And bottom line --

nothing, but nothing !!! worked on the kind of hard water scale we have

in this part of the world. Sheeesh !

(I thought)

I started thinking that surely to goodness there had to be a better way.

I wasn't even really looking for healthier at that point.

I just wanted something that would work!

THEN, I started googling "natural home cleaning products"

and wow!!! came up with lots of great info.

I learned along the way that many of the cleaning products

I use on a daily basis are very harmful and damaging to the lungs

and the skin and the mucous membranes.

Also, the residue from many of these products

is something I'm just not comfortable having in my home.

Having a grandbaby really made me hyper-aware of it all

and so, after much research and googling and searching

other blogs for info ----

I have come to today.

I'm "going green".

I've been very skeptical about the cleaning "power" of some of these

natural products. But, I've put them to the test.

I've been researching them on my most stubborn

of stains and cleaning problems and I'm convinced !!

I have so much info to share with you and I don't want this post to just go on and on and on....

So, I'm going to break this up into a series for at least the next few days.

Here's a starter --

I have an off white laminate kitchen countertop

that is very susceptible to staining.

I was constantly using spray bleach to

brighten it up and remove the coffee and tea stains

that plagued me.

This morning I wiped the stains with a wet cloth,

sprinkled a little bit of baking soda over the stain,

then added 1 squirt of dishwashing liquid.

With the wet cloth I scrubbed the area

and in just a few seconds the stains

were completely gone.

It wasn't instant like with the spray bleach.

It actually required me to move my arm back and forth

a few times.

But, when I had rinsed the area --

it was sparkling clean, smelled great,

and I knew there was no leftover bleach

that could jeopardize my clothes.

I'm always leaning up against the still damp counter

and having to immediately change and wash my clothes

so they are not ruined.

All in all -- worked super great !!

I'm very pleased!

I'll be sharing many more

cleaning "products" the next few days.

I've also uncovered a LOT of natural health

products along the way ---

GOOD STUFF!!!

Stayed tuned !

Did I mention how much $$$$$ you

can save using this stuff?????

WOW

Safe Cleaning,

Gwynie Pie

Cherry, Cherry Pie

For dinner last night, I made a

Southwest Shepherd's Pie.

I made it in a 9 by 13 pan and as I was telling

Dana about it, she said

"hey, that would be so fun to do in little

individual ramekins."

Well, of course, it would !

Especially for a party.

So -- for that reason (yes, I know there isn't a lot of logic here)

I made the cherry pie for tonight's dinner

in those little individual ramekins.

And they turned out great !!

I used Pillsbury Pie Crusts, the kind you find next to biscuits in the store.

And cut the right-sized circles out for the larger bottom

For the filling -- I used 1 can of pie filling and

2 large Tablespoons tapioca.

I use tapioca in all my fruit pies --

it gives them "body".

Then cut another circle of dough

the size of the top and pinch the bottom dough

and top dough together.

Then cut a couple of "breathing" holes

in the top dough,

sprinkle with sugar and dot with butter.

Bake until the dough is golden.

Be sure to place on a cookie sheet -- as you can see

What a mess !!!

It also helps to spray the ramekin with Pam.

Very yummy !! Very pretty !!

Very, very easy !!

NOW --

SOUTHWEST SHEPHERD'S PIE

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or equivalent)

cut into bite-size pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

Brown in skillet with just a tablespoon of oil.

Sprinkle 2 packets taco seasoning over chicken.

Add 1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1 flat can green chilies

1 cup salsa

1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained

Stir together and let heat through.

Pour into 9 by 13 pan.

In bowl, mix 2 Corn-kits (packaged cornbread mix)

2 eggs

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

enough milk to be spreadable, about 1 1/2 - 2 cups

Spread the cornbread mixture over the chicken mixture.

Bake 20-30 minutes at 350.

Garnish with chopped green onions,

sour cream, chopped black olives,

chopped tomatoes, more cheese.

That's my recipes !!

Give 'em a whirl....

Gwynie Pie

The Weekend

This was the first year Dana, Blake and Lily Kate and Colin and Ronnie

joined us for the 4th of July celebrations

on the Concho River in downtown San Angelo.

Half of us staked out our spot for the evening

while the rest of us went by

Papa John's and picked up 6 pizzas.

Also on the menu - watermelon and cherrys,

Doritos and M&M's,

and

lots of cold water

THIS is how Lily Kate watched the fireworks. She did watch for a while,
but soon had the "when you've seen one fireworks, you've seen 'em all "
attitude.
She was worn out and it was past her bedtime, so
she got comfy with Pops covering her ears and
she just took a little snooze.
The following night at Freedom Fest fireworks,
she brought her stethoscope
with her and it served as earplugs.
Then, she leaned back on her Daddy and took
a little nap.
Too cute !!!

The wait from 5:30 until fireworks begins is quite long, so we
brought along games and activities to occupy.
The girls played a little Fancy Nancy game
and then chased bubbles.

The group

Kidsitting a sweet baby goat named Winnie

for the weekend was really very fun.

Lily Kate loved !!!! the goat.

Feeding Winnie her morning bottle

THIS was too cute!! Lily Kate had already had her bath but

before we could get her into her pjs, she

decided that Baby Winnie, who was crying pitifully,

(all baby goats cry pitifully)

needed someone to sleep with.

Then she wouldn't cry and be sad.

So, Lily Kate gave her one of her own

stuffed bears so she would feel better.

Here she is -- comforting Winnie and telling her

"it be awwight."

We had a wonderful time with family this week.

We totally enjoyed every minute!!!

William and I are both moving much slower this morning,

wishing we could just sleep in a bit,

but...he's at work and I am too -- doing

laundry and dishes and floors.

Hope your 4th was blessed!

Gwynie Pie

My daughter, granddaughter and I started the morning with a cup of coffee, some chicken biscuits and Little Einsteins. Then, I trekked into "big town" for last minute weekend groceries and such. They straightened up the house, did a load of laundry and cooked a pot of delicious beans to go with dinner later. Lily Kate took a good nap and was ready to go for a swim by the time I got home and the truck was unloaded.

Charla, Dana's best friend since they were in diapers, and her daughter, Cora came over to visit and Cora kept us entertained with her latest "water moves" since she just finished her swim lessons. Lily Kate was, at first,pretty hesitant to throw herself into it like Cora did but she finally did and we all had a splashing good time. Great fun!

After we came inside, Dana started the rest of dinner for tonight -- chicken mole, red rice, cucumbers in yogurt and dill sauce, rolled up in a big ol' flour tortilla. The little girls played and the big girls visited while Dana cooked. Something about the whole scene made me "flashback" to a time in my life that was so good, so satisfying. Just thinking back on it all made me smile.

When William and I were 33 years old and had three children ages 3, 4 and 10, we knew we were being led by the LORD to leave where we were - with the nice salary and the great benefits, nice paid for house, surrounded by both our families and lots of friends - and move to Fort Worth, 4 hours away from home, for him to attend Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary and go to graduate school. Crazy enough --- we heard the LORD and obeyed. We have so many memories -- ALL sweet ones -- from that next 6 years of our lives. We all learned so much. We have some really great stories from those years. Those stories will just have to wait til another day.

When we moved, we very fortunate to get assigned seminary housing. It was a tiny house with a total of 6 rooms, 2 bathrooms. It had been a duplex at one time and was now combined to make a single family home. The house was lacking in many things but the backyard more than made up for it. A couple of enormous trees provided lots of shade. William found a place to buy sand for the kids to play in and we had brought the kids small playhouse/fort with us. Soooo, we had a "playland" for a yard, especially compared with the other hot, dry and treeless yards in the neighborhood.

Surrounded by other little seminary houses we were also central in location, so most afternoons our house was the gathering spot for the neighborhood. There were 5 women and 16 little kids that would come over for playing and visiting.

All the women stayed home with the children, many homeschooling, while the guys went to class most of the day and worked at various jobs until late in the night. None of us had much money and we all were on very tight budgets. So even on the very hottest days, we never ran the air conditioners. Some would run the a/c window unit in one room -- which we all referred to as "the cold room". If you were just absolutely about to perish, you could duck into "the cold room" just long enough to revive so you could go about your business. Summertime in Texas is blazing hot.

I remember so many afternoons --- naptime would be over and the women and kids would start to appear. The sounds of the children playing and laughing would come through the open doors and windows. And we girls would sit where we could see the kids and visit and sweat. I remember one time my parents were coming to visit and they got there early in the day while all the neighborhood was still there. I was in the middle of mixing up and baking cookies for everyone. And someone else had brought over a box of popsicles. There were kids everywhere!!! It was pretty much flat out chaos that day. But fun chaos!! I never found out what my folks really thought of that day. I suspect they just shook their heads in amazement. It really was a three-ring circus! Such fun! Such good memories !

I'm not sure I could even do such a thing today. Of course, that's been nearly 25 years ago, so I'm much older. And, therefore, like my air conditioning more. But I really truly believe we women were all empowered by something beyond ourselves. It was a matter of pride to NOT cave and turn on the air conditioner and spend your family's money needlessly. We all lived on strict budgets. We were sacrificing for the financial good of the family. And none of us wanted the others to think us wimpy. AND almost all of the husbands worked very physically demanding jobs and we figured if they had to be out in the heat every day....then by golly, we could do it too.

Wow! I'm so thankful the LORD didn't leave us where we were all those years ago, but called us out into the unknown for His purposes. AND I am also so glad we heard and responded. We've never been the same. What a great life - then and now!

Gwynie Pie

Garage Sale Finds

I wanted to show you some of my recent garage sale finds.

Above, a sweet little silver jewelry box,

lined with red velvet, it is perfect for

holding my favorite earrings,

my wedding ring when not on my finger,

and my charm bracelet.

I have a three shelf jewelry case,

as you can see --

full of pretties....

and I still wear basically just one pair of earrings,

my wedding ring and

my charm bracelet.

I found the unused copy of My Utmost for His Highest Journal

by Oswald Chambers. It is a beautiful devotional.

Also found the never-been-used "Leather and Lace"

scented candle....smells great !

This is the skeleton of an old lamp shade.

I've been looking for just such a shade for a while now --

I have great plans.

You'll be seeing this again soon....

And this little two-tiered metal tray just had my name

on it, ya know?

I put it in the center of my dining table

with the saucers we use as coasters,

a few forks and spoons

and some long iced tea spoons

for easy table setting.

Under the tray is a piece of a very old

cotton seed sack.

It is so soft and worn, the printing is

off center and faded

and I love it !

I just love these recent garage sale finds.

They have all been incorporated into my home

and

look quite comfortable here,

like they've been here forever.

Soooo, nothing earth-shaking --

just wanted to show you my new finds.

Happy Day!

Gwynie Pie

July 1st

Happy first day of July !

What kind of fun things happen at your house

to celebrate our country's Independence Day?

William and I usually go down to the Concho River

in downtown San Angelo with quilt, lawn chairs

and ice chest in tow.

The SA Symphony presents a wonderful

program of patriotic songs,

we spread out the quilt and lay out the food

we brought.

Lots of people (over 30,000) come to town

for this annual event

and we always see lots of folks

and get to catch up with friends.

Some years we do it the easy way and go by and pick up a pizza

or a bucket of chicken.

Haven't figured out the menu for this year --

something fun and different.

And COOL !

We sit on the riverbank and eat and visit

and listen to the music and

then the evening ends with a spectacular

fireworks display.

Oh -- and the flyover. There is almost always

a fantastic flyover. That's usually when I start to get emotional.

I am always moved to tears at some point

in the evening -- try as I might to remain in control.

It's just so moving --- I mean,

here we are -- living in the greatest country

in the world, in the greatest state in the country

(I do hope you love your state as much

as I love mine).

I'm blessed to be living in the kind of

community where life is slow and

friends are forever,

and where we still get choked up

over the presentation of the flag

and the playing of patriotic songs.

It's a powerful thing to reflect on our country,

the people who settled it and

founded this way of life and

then fought with all they had to

make this country great

and to keep this country free.

Happy July everyone!

May your celebrations be fun and safe --

Gwynie Pie

Summertime and the livin' is easy

Rather, the livin' will be easy.... as soon as I get my house back together

AND get the mountain of laundry done

AND get all the dishes washed

AND change sheets on beds

AND mow and weedeat

AND vacuum the carpets

AND plan meals for the week

AND buy groceries

AND okay so --

Maybe the livin' ain't so easy at this very moment

on this bright and shiny Monday morning.

But, it's gonna get that way fast,

because.....

company's comin' !!!!

Dana and Lily Kate will be here Tuesday,

Blake follows on Thursday after work.

Colin and Ronnie are arriving Thursday evening

and

Devin is hoping to join us either Thursday or Friday.

THAT = a full house, lots of fun,

and the livin' will be easy !

This weekend will be chock full of July 4th

fun with the annual Pops Concert at

the Riverstage downtown.

We've missed the last couple of years

but are excited to go this year with the whole family.

Then Saturday afternoon we are all working at

FreedomFest,

a wonderful, family fun time

that is sponsored by our church.

This will be held at Colt Stadium

and the fireworks that end the evening

are absolutely great !!!

There will be a world-renowned illusionist

earlier in the evening....

hmmm??? how'd they do that???

So fun !!! and so baffling!!!

We are soooo looking forward to the week.

I just have a few things to do first,

'scuse me, gotta run, talk later.....

What does your week look like?

How are you celebrating the 4th of July????

Super Productive Monday to you all,

Gwynie Pie

HOSA Sale Saturday !!!!!

Is this THE cutest thing ever ??????? Uhhhhh, that's just a frying pan bottom, Gwyn.

Yes, and this is the frying pan top. Cute, cute, cute !! Looks just like my frying pan, with the little discolored places around the top edges that comes from frying eggs with oil in the pan. Ooops !

And here is some perspective on this adorable little Revere Ware miniature pan. It's tiny ! Just big enough for one egg.

I don't know any history on this replica pan, but I had to have it !

Just one of the perks of organizing and working

the First Ever

Hospice of San Angelo

garage sale, I guess.

It will be this Saturday from 7 a.m. til 2 p.m.

at 61 N. Chadbourne.

We have tons --- I mean this literally, people ---

tons of great, fun, useful items.

Something for everybody !

Come by and

Come buy !!

See ya there????

Gwynie Pie

Updates & Random Thoughts

Tonight begins Week 3 of our summer Ladies Bible Study,

Discerning the Voice of God

by

Priscilla Shirer

I really love doing a bible study like this for many reasons:

1. I love God's Word and learning from it

2. I need to be held accountable to stay on course.

3. I need this "ammunition" in order to live life better

today than yesterday.

4. I truly love knowing that the LORD keeps on working with me,

keeps on pressing, pulling, pushing,

conforming.

That's the BEST part !

That's also the HARDEST part !

Priscilla says it this way "When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit

begins to sanctify us and change our personalities to suit His design.

We assist in the process of conforming to His image through

obedience to His Word."

And that brings me to the next "update" --

As of this morning -

I have lost a total of 9 pounds !!!

Finally -- the scale moved.

It took over 2 1/2 weeks of denying myself all kinds of good

(tasting) foods to get the thing to budge.

And I learned some important things during these few days.

1. God loves me! Okay, I already knew that. But it's so affirming

to have that love shown in yet another way.

2. It really is all about God's sanctifying work in our lives.

The only time in the history of the world that God

didn't continue to "work" on a child of His,

was with His own child, Christ, who was

perfect!!!

The rest of us ---- when we accept Christ as our Savior,

the sanctification process begins.

God loves us so, so much that He isn't going to overlook our

flaws and our rough spots and our sins.

He isn't going to leave us like He found us !

Praise you, LORD!

He's committed to us. He wants to see us

"conformed to the image of Christ",

Romans 8:29

Now, THAT is beyond cool !!!!!

3. I really CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength !!

Philippians 4:13

4. Losing weight really is so much about obedience.

Making His desires for me, my desires for me.

AND desiring it enough to deny myself a momentary "taste-treat"

in order to reap the desired results at a later time.

Guatemala Trip Update

William got back from his week to Guatemala. The team of 16 people built

houses for four widows and their children.

They also helped at the feeding centers, played with the children

and delivered clothes, shoes, food and toys.

The work was very physical, but

the extreme altitude was a real physical challenge as well.

All those West Texas flat-landers were breathing some

very thin air !

William came home with a stomach bug and was flat down, laid out

in bed until Sunday morning.

This, of course, miffed me so! :)

I was looking forward to talking and visiting with him and

hearing all about the trip, but....

So, this week he has felt much better and I'm just now

hearing all about the trip.

Great stuff ! God is good!

The only pictures we've seen from the trip are on Facebook and I can't figure

how to get them off there and onto my computer.

BUT --- pictures will be posted soon.

Guatemala is a breath-takingly beautiful country!

You'll love seeing the pictures.

Well, that's it for the "updates" --

I'm off to help get ready for a big Hospice of San Angelo garage sale

event this Friday night and Saturday.

It's hot and dusty where we'll be working

and no potty and no a/c ! Yikes!!

Have a great Wednesday !!!

Gwynie Pie