Domestically Inclined

11/11/20

Day One 31 Days of Proverbs 31 Study

Today is Day One of the 31 Days of Proverbs 31 Study at Hisbeloved's Blog. Take some time to visit and feel free to put her button on your page to remind yourself and others to stop by for encouragement, and encourage 0thers in God's Word. We can all learn more each time we read through Proverbs 31. Don't forget to share what God is showing you, and praise Him for His faithfulness. To God alone be the glory!

After reading Proverbs 31, this is the verse that stood out to me... Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 3:30 Mankind looks at the outward appearance, and grants favor to those who are pleasant to look upon. Under the skin lies a heart that matters most to our Jesus. Beware and guard your heart against a pretty face that is only skin deep with a heart attitude that does not follow after God.Remember God looks upon the heart, it is the heart attitude that pleases Him. Praise God if the two be at home in one person, both beauty and a godly heart. But beauty can be altogether vanity, judge not the outward appearance and be deceived by the inward. As a follower of Christ, we are to morally revere our Maker and Savior. Such a woman shall reflect the beauty of her Lord. To God alone be the glory!

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 1Peter 3:3-5

1/8/16

Free E-Book Life Amidst The Rhymes

While reminiscing of days in my youth and days with a new generation of youth,

I put together a collection of poems and some of my artwork

for family and friends.

Filled with poems and short stories relating wonderful times in the garden with the grandchildren to difficult times in life when you think no one is here to hear.

May you be encouraged for Someone really is there to listen.

FREE E-Book Download..... Life Amidst The Rhymes

What's inside...matters.

Abundant life, who can know it? Solomon tried it all, all to him was emptiness. So how in the world do we experience abundant life? Perhaps it is not attainable through earthly means. Wisdom personified calls out to all who will listen. How long will you be simple minded? How long will you be seducible? Throw off the foolish ways. Turn, be of an understanding heart, a heart that is discerning, prudent, attentive, and diligent. Even Whinnie the Pooh got it…think, think, think.

Oh how happy is the one who finds wisdom, for that one is alive! The one who fails to find wisdom injures themselves. All who hate wisdom, love death. Don’t be stuffed with fluff, be filled to overflowing with wisdom.

Monika Hardy

2/4/15

Mighty Tighty League

Happy February! It has been so mild here and the birds have been singing. Not so for those on the East Coast, so I do not take this nice weather for granted. We have been busy with grandchildren for quite some time and now have a chance to introduce you to our grandson Titus. He was born with some special needs and I am sharing a Caring site fund raiser to ask for help with therapy and medical costs.
Titus can use your help in these areas...

Prayer support
Financial help
Spreading the word

You can find all the info at the following site. Thank you so much for your help!

11/12/14

It's Contagious!

Go ahead,

SMILE

It's contagious!

10/14/14

Book Giveaway!

Good evening all!

Blessed Homemaking's Blog has a Book. Giveaway!

Mother's Book of Home Economics

Stop on by and enter for a chance to receive this

Book of encouragement for Homemaker's

Fall has arrived!

Fall has arrived and school is on the brain! Time to crack open books and dig deep. Of course my favorite book to dig into is the Bible. There is so much buried treasure in the Bible just awaiting discovery.
I began attending a Ladies Hebrew study recently and it is so wonderful to get into what is considered "meat and potatoes" in the Bible. The first four verses of chapter one of the book of Hebrews is filled with an endless amount of doctrinal importance.
Doctrine seems to have been set aside in recent years for the purpose of gaining more "practical" application of these weightier issues. However, it is important to understand that they go hand in hand. I suppose it is the old nature that just wants to get the rules down first so we can figure out how to get around them.
Practically applying doctrinal issues to one's life is important. Case in point, I was just searching my blog for an old Pumpkin Biscotti recipe I knew I had posted on my blog years earlier. I rejoiced over finding the recipe but had I stopped there, being happy to have the knowledge in my possession, friends and family would not enjoy the benefit of the finished product. It is one thing to share a recipe, or knowledge, but another to share a batch of Pumpkin Biscotti, or application of that knowledge.
I can only share my knowledge online, but I can apply it in my life to those around me, and you are able to do the same to those around you. What if we all decided to dig deep for Doctrinal truths and share them? It's not that difficult, just open the Bible and read to learn. The world be a better place, and we could all be enjoying Pumpkin Biscotti!

Read Hebrews online

Pumpkin Biscotti Recipe

10/1/14

Apple Galette

A Taste of Fall.....

The cool, crisp air of Fall along with thunder clouds yesterday was a welcome change in season around here! The leaves are beginning to turn, the air is fresh, and the smells of soup and cider and spices fill the home. It was nice to be able to turn a recent apple Harvest into a few apple pies to share with the family. The pie on the left is an Apple pie that my daughter in law made, while I made the one on the right. I hope to talk her into sharing her recipe in the future, when she has a few minutes to spare from caring for our grandchildren. There is plenty of pie to go around, and a nice mix of flavor to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea and some wonderful conversation.

We enjoy the flavor of many different apples, and the contrast of flavors and textures offered in the area are tremendous. Local apple orchards are a fun destination this time of year. The Fugi apple was the apple of my choice for this recipe, but others will work fine as well. The Fugi apple brought a crisp, tart finished flavor to the Apple Galette, a french farm style pie.

Domestically Inclined Apple Galette

French Apple Galette

For Dough place following ingredients in a food processor:

3 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour * 1/4 cup organic cane sugar * 1 cup butter (very cold)

Process in short bursts until mixture resembles coarse meal

Add 3/4 cup ice cold water

Process until incorporated then wrap dough in cling wrap and place in refrigerator while preparing filling.

Filling: Wash, core, peel, and slice about 12 apples. (keep slices in bowl with cold water and a teaspoon lemon juice or citric acid to prevent browning) *Pre heat oven to 425 Degrees Fahrenheit

*Remove dough from fridge and place between two sheets of waxed or parchment paper. Use rolling pin and roll out dough to desired shape. Move dough to deep dish pie plate, removing paper (Dough should extend a few inches beyond edge of dish.)

*Drain apple slices and stir in: 1/4 cup organic cane sugar, 1/4 cup raisins, 1 tablespoon almond extract, 1/4 cup melted butter. Place filling into crust.

*Fold the dough up over the filling around edges, and sprinkle filling with 1/2 cup dark brown sugar.

*Cover pie with aluminum foil just around the edges, not the top.

Place Apple Galette in hot oven at 425 for 40 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of honey, or ice cream.

Enjoy!

9/9/14

Luscious Lemon Loaf

It has been a while since I have visited my own blog! Recovery after thyroid removal two years ago has been slow, but thankfully I am doing better and slowly moving into the areas of life that have not had much attention. My health had to be my first priority for awhile, and then family and now beyond the circle of life into virtual world of friends again. It has been a difficult but amazing journey and now wonderful to be able to think past low thyroid brain fog and write again!

It is amazing how much of life can fall by the wayside in a few years time.

I have been enjoying being able to read and comprehend my Bible again, spend time with family, spend time in the garden and finally make my way back to the blogging world.

I picked up a bread machine this past summer at the thrift store and have been able to enjoy making bread with out fake ingredients. It has also been a blessing to be able to not turn the oven on in the summer to heat the whole house. I am still experimenting on a good recipe using whole wheat flour to use in my bread machine, but we all enjoyed the following last night. It was the second time I tried a quick bread in the machine and it was a hit. I prefer it without the glaze, but the Mister prefers something sweet now and then since I have taken most of the sugar out of the diet. Certainly not the sort of thing I should make often, but so nice to share with others over a cup of tea or coffee.

Enjoy!

Luscious Lemon Loaf

Domesticlady

(Bread Machine Recipe)

Place ingredients in Bread Machine in the following order

2 teaspoons poppy seeds (optional)

1/2 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons softened butter

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1/3 cup lemon juice

Zest from one lemon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup raw cane sugar

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Select Quick Bread Setting and Bake

After the Loaf has finished baking

• Make the following glaze

• Using toothpick poke holes in top of loaf

• Pour glaze over warm loaf

• Let cool

Glaze

Mix following ingredients with mixer

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons evaporated milk

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

www.domesticallyinclined.blogspot.com

5/17/13

Tender Greens

There are two sides to every story. In the following story there is good news and bad news.

First, the good news:

This beautiful bunch of greens was just collected from my raised garden bed a short while ago. As I write this story I have already eaten a salad without salad dressing and enjoyed the incredible flavors of the following tender greens...

Radish

Bachoy

Beets

Kale

With....

Tender Garlic Snipes

Sweet sliced onions

Green onions

The first salad from the garden is something I look forward to after a long winter in North Idaho. The flavor is incredibly intense compared to what is shipped in from somewhere else. I am thankful food is shipped in from somewhere in the winter, but also thankful to have the health and strength to garden again after a long year of health issues last year.

Now that the weather is warmer and we have more sunlight I thought it was time to get the window sill ready to grow sprouts and micro greens. So I was carrying these boxes from the back steps to a table when something happened....

The bad news:

As I was carrying these boxes and I tripped on a chair leg, I think, because it all happened so fast, and down I went with the boxes flying and landing on and around me. The concrete and I are not friends! I have a few good welts, scrapes and bruises that flared up instantly, and I can feel the jar to my spine.

The boxes are for Micro Greens that I like to grow inside for salads. I just add a good potting soil to the individual cups, add seeds and let them grow a few inches high and snip above the dirt line. The cups can then be re-seeded. It is a good supplemental green source in the summer time for a short while, and leaves room for the cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, and several sorts of tomato plants I have hardening off right now.

Hope you are enjoying the dirt in your backyard this season. Stay safe. :)

9/25/12

Ode To Fall

Long strolls near the river cause sorrows to roll,

Away from my heart, far from my soul.

My Beloved is with me and all is well,

Of His loving embrace I must tell.

Bring the day quickly when faith becomes sight,

Roll back the heavenly scroll with Your might.

Oh the bliss, the glorious thought,

With Your precious sacrifice, I am bought!

The fall of man has kept us apart,

The Fall You created brings hope to my heart.

To see the Creator of all good things,

Face to face soon, now in creation as it sings.

Through the mist on the river as it whispers by,

Through the leaves as they fall from tree tops high.

This Season of beauty, this season of grace,

Will fall from memory, because Jesus took my place.

Weep not for me when I am gone,

For in His presence I’ll be singing the song,

Of the redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,

Who is altogether lovely, the Great I AM.

Fall on your knees, for He is worthy,

To receive honor, and power and glory.

When in creation you see the majesty of the King

Fall into His arms and find shelter, under His wing.

9/20/12

Recovering from surgeries, Hello out there! :)

Flowers from my hubby after surgery

Hello out there! I can hear the ripple effect of sound waves across the Great Divide as I call out. It has been a long year of car accidents and surgeries. I am just six weeks post op from the last surgery...a total thyroidechtomy. The entire thyroid, goiter and nodules and all had to be removed. I will try to share my story of this in the future as I found so many others stories helpful before I had to go under the knife. Prayerfully, we decided to go ahead and have it done as the mass was causing too much compression in the swallowing and breathing area.

I am tired most of the time now, but am recovering nicely.
I am learning that not everything has to be done in this season of life.
I am learning that my brain is waking up again, and I can read, and write without much brain fog!
I am praising God for all His loving kindness and healing!

So whilst I was checking on the condition of my blogs I found a lovely surprise! Miss Mandie dropped by with a kind comment which led me to her new blog. Mandie has blessed my socks off, and I just have to share her with you. As I type my eyes are getting heavy and I know dream land is nearby. So let me leave you with the words of a wonderful new online acquaintance that feels more like a friend already! I'm sure you will be blessed as I am.

Mandie's Wings

7/19/12

What Did I Do Today?

To all the young ladies who take motherhood seriously,

God bless you,

may He give you the strength to continue

to care for the little ones He has blessed you with!

What Did I Do Today?

Today I left some dishes dirty
The bed got made around 3:30
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall
will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those windowpanes
will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?
I held a baby till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true.
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone
with beautiful eyes and soft hair.
If that is true... I've done my share.
-----Author Unknown

7/18/12

Lacto Fermented Cabbage Relish

Lacto Fermentation

I went to the store the other day and saw such a beautiful display of cabbage in the grocery store that I had to praise the produce people for doing such a fine job!

Of course I had to pick up a head and bring it home.

Unfortunately the smell of cooking cabbage disagrees with my husband

so I thought I would try my hand at lacto fermentation!

It turned out nice with out that sauerkraut taste, but more

coleslaw like texture.

(Even though I'm of German descent, I don't care for sauerkraut)

Basically mixed veggies in a jar with spices,

2tbls salt per quart jar, 4 tbls per 1/2 gallon jar, and fill with distilled water to completely cover.
I use the 2 quart/half gallon jar to use up more vertical space in the fridge.

Place all ingredients in the jar and let stand on the kitchen counter for 2-5 days,
gently shaking each day to distribute spices,

and then place in the refrigerator.

The fermentation creates a food filled with beneficial lactic acid, and digestive enzymes.

A wonderful way to keep the flavor of harvest alive in winter!

You can mix and match the veggies, or layer them,

as well as choose from many spices.

Possible veggie list

Cabbage

Celery

Red, Green, or White Onions

Carrots

Cauliflower

Zucchini

Green, Red, or Yellow Peppers

Lima Beans

Kale

Broccoli

Turnips
Cucumbers

Possible Spice list

Mustard Seed

Turmeric

Dill

Chili Peppers

Celery Seed

Peppercorns

Coriander

Mint

Fennel

Other Possible Additives

A tablespoon of ....

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

Whey (The liquid that forms at the top of yogurt,

this helps begin the fermentation process)

Be creative! Experiment!

Keep in mind, if you are not used to pro biotics in your diet,

go easy on lacto fermented foods at first, until your system gets used to them.

This is not a government approved method.

We need to educate ourselves, and be responsible for our own food choices.
The US government has their own suggestions
National Center for Home Food Preservation

7/5/12

Thankfulness

Independence Day was wonderful in the Northwest. Felt guilty for the beautiful weather since most of the United States were under such oppressive heat, and many without electricity. We did take time to ask God for His mercy on all ya'all's behalf, and thanked Him for all His blessings on this Nation, and asked for His care on our military and their families.

The day started out cold, with an overnight low of 46, but not to worry, we will be joining the ranks of the overheated by the weekend when the temps get into the 90's! Now that is summertime for us! We spent some time getting some odd jobs done around the house after a "Hardy" breakfast of spuds 'n fried eggs. Around lunch time we were gathering all our things for a bbq on the front porch and we were treated to the annual traffic jam in front of our home from all the cars leaving the downtown parade. We had such a nice time waving to all the passersby as they drove or walked past, as we sipped our iced tea and ate our first hot dogs in many years! Conversations were short but sweet as the townspeople went on their merry way. Downtown is still like a Norman Rockwell painting at times.

After taking a nap and packing food for a bbq at a friends, we ventured out to a friends home. It was a day to celebrate so we enjoyed fired chicken with all the trimmings and cheesecake! We had a lovely time visiting with friends and church family, and ran into some old friends on our way home. We made it home before being blocked out of our driveway by those parking to make it to the fireworks that night. Turns out the city changed things, and no one was parked on our street this year. So we watched Capital Fourth, with all the fireworks on the Washington DC Mall, and then got bundled up with blankets and hot tea to watch the fireworks from the Lake, while we were all cozy on our front porch. Through the years the trees have grown taller so our view is now somewhat hampered, but the fireworks are still beautiful and we are still close enough to feel the thump in our chest when the fireworks are launched.

Again we enjoyed watching the people make their way home, and watched the neighbors set off their fireworks. While we enjoyed the beauty of the lights, it did remind us all those who have sacrificed so much for this Nation in war. As I drifted off in deep thought of these matters, speaking and listening in my heart to God I asked Him one more thing. You see, we have been eating REAL food for many years now due to allergies, and after celebrating with so many store bought foods filled with chemicals and preservatives and high fructose corn syrup, not to mention genetically modified foods, ok I mentioned it......I wasn't feeling to well. Still not feeling 100% but it's my own fault. Thank God for His mercy! :)

© Monika Hardy

7/4/12

Happy Independence Day America!

May we never forget the love and sacrifice

made by so many to make this

The Land of the Free

and

The Home of the Brave.

May our Flag e'er wave from Sea to Shining Sea,

across the amber waves of grain,

in a beautiful background of

purple, majestic mountains!

America, America, may God shed His grace on you!

May God's Truth go marching on forever within the hearts of

your people America!

May we remember that but for the grace of God,

we stand, and without Him we will fall.

2/23/12

Free Amazon E-Book

Just found another free e-book on Amazon that I can't wait to dig into!

I thought I might share it with you all as there are many others to choose from.

This particular book is "The Book of Missionary Heroes" the beginning is intriguing to me.

2/7/12

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

But by the grace of God I am what I am,

and his grace toward me was not in vain.

On the contrary,

I worked harder than any of them,

though it was not I,

but the grace of God that is with me.

1Corinthians 15:10

I laboured more than they all - That is, more than any of them, from a deep sense of the peculiar love God had shown me. Yet, to speak more properly, it is not I, but the grace of God that is with me - This it is which at first qualified me for the work, and still excites me to zeal and diligence in it. ~Wesley

We are what we are by the grace of God. Surrendered to His will and His ways we fulfill the work He sets before us. Not of our own doing or own talents, but by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

It's not easy to live life in this way as many times it goes directly against the ways accepted around us.

Oh but stand firm! For to live in this way pleases the heart of the Father!

Loosing face...not too expensive

Loosing friends ...costly

Loosing our selves in Jesus..count the cost, but it is worth it!

The thought of putting a smile on God's face by pleasing Him....priceless!

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

2/6/12

You can learn alot from a Rose

A Rose by any other name would still smell as sweet!

Beauty without virtue is like a Rose without scent.

A rose, is a rose, is a rose.

“Loveliest of lovely things are they On earth that soonest pass away. The rose that lives its little hour Is prized beyond the sculptured flower.”