Pioneering Today-5 Ways to Repurpose a Mason Jar

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Do you like to have things that serve more than one purpose? I like things that are both functional and pretty. Mason Jars are one of my passions. They represent do-it-yourself, nostalgia, and I happen to think, very decorative, plus functional on so many levels.

Here’s my list of ways to use Mason jars besides canning, which I do plenty of.

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

1. A Mason jar soap dispenser. I bought mine, but here’s a link to make your own, which I plan on doing for the bathroom sinks.

Canning jar food canisters

2. Group them together to make a statement. I love the look of the blue Mason jars, but if you can’t find any at a garage sale and don’t want to pay antique store prices, here’s a link to use food coloring to make them any color you want. I got mine at garage sales and from the pump house of the old house my parent’s purchased.

Mason jar Night Light

3. Mason jar Night Light. This is from my delightful friend, Jessie Gunderson, over at her blog. Click here for directions and get ready to meet a fun and crafty gal.

Mason jars vintage votive holders

4. Aren’t these gorgeous? Here’s the link to make them over at Country on the Rocks.

Can you believe this chandlier? I want it.

5. This is simply a canning rack and Mason jars with Christmas lights. Beautiful isn’t it. I found this featured on When the Dinner Bell Rings blog. She has other fun re-purposed ideas along with this one.

If you need another simple re-purpose project, check out my t-shirt scarves tutorial. Super easy!

What’s your favorite way to reuse a Mason jar? Do you have another item that makes a fabulous re-purpose project?

If you love Mason jars like I do, I have an entire board dedicated to them on pinterest.

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Why We Should Be Optimists-Book Review Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato and Giveaway

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Have you ever noticed that some people always choose to see the bad in a situation and some people always see the good?

It can be easy to fall into the trap of focusing on the bad. We just got our truck paid off two months ago, and despite replacing the entire brake system, it’s still making a noise and I have to take into the shop tomorrow. I struggle with balancing my day job, my mommy job, my wife job, and finding time to write.

Here’s the good. I have a truck to drive that is paid off. I’m blessed with a job, two children, a husband, and this writing gift and dream God placed in my heart that I get to share with you.

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

If you focus on looking for the good in any situation, no matter how bleak, you will find something to praise God for and be a much happier person. Even when I suffered an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, God taught me He uses hardships for good.

You might wonder what this has to do with a Christian fiction book review and giveaway.

This was the lesson I learned from reading, Prize of My Heart, Lisa Norato.

Like the main character, we have to choose whether or not we acknowledge God for the good things in our life, or just blame Him for the bad.

I really enjoyed the hero, Captain Brogan Talvis. He struggled with God and the bad things he’d endured. And trust me, there were a lot.

I thought I had the ending pegged, but was taken completely by surprise. Love that!

I did feel the heroine, Lorena, could have been developed more. I wanted her to struggle with something, to have a flaw. The good Lord above knows I’m flawed, and I need the people I read about to have flaws so I can relate to them.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you’ll like this book. It’s clean with a happy, albeit surprise, ending.

Here’s the back cover copy.

An unsolved mystery separates ex-privateersman Captain Brogan Talvis from his lost son–his only living relation, his only family. Shortly before her tragic demise, his wife abandoned their infant to strangers, refusing to reveal the child’s whereabouts. Now, three years later, Brogan has discovered the boy at the home of a shipbuilder’s daughter, Lorena Huntley.

Lorena guards a dark secret about her young charge. She finds herself falling for the heroic captain who has come to claim his newly built ship, unaware his motive for wooing her is to befriend the boy he plans on reclaiming as his own–until the day another’s evil deceit leaves her helplessly ship-bound, heading toward England.

As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all–love.

Now for the fun part. Bethany House gave me this copy for my honest review and I’m passing that along to one of you.

Here’s how to enter.

Winner will be announced here on Tuesday May 22nd, 2012. Each action puts your name in the drawing once, so you have a total of 5 entries if you do all of them.

1. Comment below and include your email address so I can easily contact you if you win.

2. Tweet or share this post on Facebook

3. Become a follower of this blog

4. Follow me on Twitter

5. Like my Facebook author page

Do you notice a change when you begin to look for things to praise God for instead of complaining? Do you have any tips for turning around a pessimist outlook?

 

 

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Pioneering Today-5 Reasons to Use a Clothesline

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This past weekend, a child in our neighborhood saw me hanging our clothes on the line. “Why are you doing that?” she asked, “Don’t you have a dryer?”

I stifled a laugh and replied, “Yes, but this saves money and the environment.”

But her question made me think. Why do I choose to hang clothes out on the line?

1. To save money. During the summer months, when I can hang out our laundry to dry almost every day, I knock off $50 from our electric bill.

2. To make my clothes last longer. You know that wad of lint you pull from your dryer vent? That’s your clothes wearing out faster. Your tossing some of your clothes and money into the garbage when you empty the lint drawer.

3. Relaxation. Yes, you read that right. Something about pinning clothes out on the line relaxes me. I think it has to do with the fresh air and the beautiful earth God created for us.

4. Prayer time. When I hang up an article of clothes, I pray for the person they belong to. It may only be fleeting, but each of my family is covered in prayer when I dry clothes on the line.

5. The scent. No bottle of scented laundry softener can measure up to the sun and wind dried scent of clothes on the line.

Here’s a few tips when hanging clothes on the line. I hang all pants and shirts from the hem. This leaves no clothes pin marks on the shoulders and collars. The weight of the waist keeps pants from looking wrinkled and allows the thicker waistband to dry completely.

If you can’t abide the feeling of stiff towels, then pop in the dryer for just five minutes. They’ll fluff up without padding your electric bill.

I use an old wide mouth Mason jar to hold my clothes pins. It’s both decorative and functional.

What’s your favorite thing about laundry? Do you have any tips for me? What chore do you enjoy doing?

This post is featured on The Better Mom and Conerstone Confessions Titus Tuesday.

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8 Things Every Mom Should Do With Her Daughter

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Do you ever remember special things you did with your mother? As my daughter grows, I want to create memories she’ll treasure for her lifetime. I came up with a list of things I think are important and fun, both to your relationship and your daughter’s faith.

My daughter in my wedding dress

1. Take a picture of your daughter in your wedding dress. What little girl doesn’t like to play dress up? When she has her own wedding, how precious will this picture be on display?

Mom and me singing at church

2. Sing a song. As a small child, my little girl loves to sing. She begs me to sing songs one more time. Even as an adult, I still love singing with my mother. It doesn’t matter if you have a great voice or not, your daughter will just love that your singing together. My daughter’s favorite songs are ones from Sunday School, especially, “God’s not dead, No, He is alive.”

Mother and daughter pedicures, new crackle nail polish

 

3. Pedicures. There’s something relaxing about painting your toenails. It’s a great creative outlet. Let your daughter pick her favorite color and take turns painting each other’s nails. This can be a great time to tell the story of how Jesus washed the disciples feet and how we are to serve one another.

4. Pray out loud. Children learn from their parents. Make sure your daughter hear’s your prayers. They will make her feel safe and allow her to see how God works through our prayers. Make praying a natural and every day part of her life and teach her to talk to Jesus in all situations.

5. Cook with your daughter. It doesn’t matter how old your daughter is, she can help you cook. At one and two years old, I would measure out the ingredients and help her dump them into the bowl. As an adult, I love to cook with my mother. I need to schedule another doughnut making session.

6. Garden with your daughter. Gardening is a wonderful bonding time with your kids. What kid doesn’t like to dig in the dirt? My children love to help plant and harvest the vegetables. Even if you live in the city or don’t have a garden, grow a container of strawberries or tomatoes on your porch. Kids love to eat what they help grow.

7. Hold her hand. Sometimes, we don’t need to say or do anything, other than simply taking someones hand as you walk or sit.

Letter to my daughter on her first birthday

8. Write your daughter a letter. In my baby book are letters my mother wrote to me when I was a baby and toddler. I love reading these, getting a glimpse into the person I was before I can remember. I write a letter to each of my children on their birthdays. They aren’t old enough to read them, but someday they will be. One mother I spoke to wrote her children a letter when they were babies and gave it to them when they turned eighteen.

I plan on writing my children a letter every year. I write about what their doing, what they’ve accomplished this year, and my hopes and dreams for them. If something were to happen to me, they would always have these letters.

Even if your daughter is grown, think how much she’d like to read how proud you are of her. Take this time to pour out your feelings and love.

There are so many wonderful things we can do with our daughters. What are some of your favorite memories or traditions? Share with us a special memory you have of your mother or daughter.

This post is featured on The Better Mom Monday Link-Up and The Prairie Homestead. 

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Pioneering Today-Best Ever Flaky Pie Crust

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Do you ever eat a pie and fork out the filling, leaving the crust behind? In less than 15 minutes you can have 4 pie crusts ready to bake or freeze and this crust is so good, you’ll be leaving the filling just to eat the crust! In fact, my seven-year-old did that tonight. You can also have home baked bread in less than 5 minutes a day.

Flaky Pastry Crust

In country pioneer fashion, our neighbor brought us a homemade pie. My mother is an excellent baker and cook, but I never liked pie crust. Until I tasted this one. I had never eaten pie crust before and when I ate the entire piece of pie, crust included, my mom switched her recipe as fast as our neighbor could write it out.

Here we go.

Flaky Pastry

4 cups flour (your choice, I recommend using pastry ground if using wheat)

1 3/4 cup shortening

1 Tblsp. sugar

2 tsp. salt

1 Tblsp. Apple Cider Vinegar (You can use white vinegar, but I prefer apple cider in baking)

1 egg

1/2 cup cold water

Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in shortening

Cut in shortening

Add your liquids

Shortening all cut in, ready to add liquids

Chill for 15 minutes. Take out dough and divide into four equal balls. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes.

Ready to freeze

If you’re not baking today, take unbaked dough ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Toss in freezer. When ready to use, thaw in fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours. Lightly flour surface, flatten dough ball with hand, and then roll to desired thinness.

When freezing, be sure to mark your dough. I also freeze sugar cookie dough and Christmas morning, mistakenly used sugar cookie dough for my pastry crust in a sausage quiche. My brother said, “Does this have maple flavored sausage? It’s sweet.”

It was edible, but not a mistake I’d like to repeat!

I made chicken pot pie tonight and it smelled so good, I forgot to snap a picture until after we’d eaten half of it. I told you it was the best ever right? :)

Featured on Traditional Tuesdays link-up. Lot’s of posts on traditional cooking and how-to’s.

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Do You Need Saving?

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I hate addiction. I hate how it changes people. The seductive lies, whispered until the person believes them.  I hate how it steals, how it devours everything good in them, an insatiable monster, never satisfied. I hate how it robs people of hope. Has addiction stolen something from you?

Addiction stole my brother from me. But God used my brother’s addiction to convict me.

Everywhere I turn, I see lives smoldering from addiction. Like a fire, addiction reaches out with burning fingers, scorching everyone, not just the user.

Death nips at my brother’s heels. He is so caught in the chain of his drug use, that he can’t see a way out. Even though he wants to. His days are full of torment, but he can’t stop.

He has been through 12 different treatment programs, jail, and prison. Still, this disease has him in its jaws.

Part of me wonders, Lord, if it’s that bad, why doesn’t he quit? And the other part answers, don’t you think he would stop if he could. No one wants to live like that. He is powerless without Jesus.

And that’s when it hit me. What things in my life am I blind to? How many times do I complain about things that I can’t seem to free myself from?

My pride. I think that because I haven’t fallen as low as some, that somehow I’m stronger than them. I am not.

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Jealousy. I look at certain people and I covet what they have. That multi-book contract, a beautiful and elaborate home, no money worries, and the list goes on.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

All of us need saving. None of us have the strength to save our selves. If we did, Jesus wouldn’t have come to earth and died on a cross for us. If we could save our selves, then we would live a life free of pain.

Jesus came to save us all. It is our choice whether or not we let Him.

I can’t make my brother chose Jesus and freedom. No matter how much I want to. No matter how many tears I cry.

But I can choose freedom for myself. And so can you.

Chose today to give God everything that is binding you.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Let’s pray,

Dear Jesus,

Please let us know your truth. Don’t let the enemy of our soul win with his lies. Let your Holy Spirit reveal the lies so that we may cling to Your truths. Your promise freedom, Lord, and you always deliver your promises. We claim victory is ours through the blood of Jesus on the cross. Thank you for your gift. Thank you for freedom.

In Jesus name, Amen.

If someone in your life suffers from addiction, here is my post on intercessory prayer.

This post is featured on The Better Mom link up. Check out other great articles on parenting, marriage, and more!

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Pioneering Today-No Sew Vintage Headband

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The pioneers didn’t have the luxury of running to the store to buy  a new hair pretty. If they wanted something, they had to make it. Beings I live 45 miles from the nearest stop light, so do I. And now you can too!

Lace headband

I love vintage pieces of clothing and jewelry. So when I saw this lace, I had to pick it up. I’ve seen lot’s of tutorials for cloth headbands and I made one from the scraps of material left over from my sew your own throw pillows project.

But not everyone has a sewing machine. And that’s where my idea for a no sew headband was born. All you need is a scrap of lace or ribbon and a pony tail band. No glue, no needle, no thread!

Measure around your head with the lace and leave about two inches extra on each side. Tie one end to the pony tail holder. Pull knot tight and place back on your head. Tug the pony tail holder taut and line up your lace there. Hold the spot with your thumb and tie to holder there. Don’t tighten the knot yet.

Try your headband on. I had to untie the knot on mine and shorten it. Try on again and if it’s the right length, tighten that last knot in place. There you go. You can clip a flower to the side of it if you want, but I love it just like this.

childsize

I thought they were so cute I made one for each of us.

More of a side view

What’s your favorite homemade accesory? Do you love vintage items, tell us your favorite.

This post featured on The Prairie Homestead Barn Hop.

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Learn to Hear God’s Voice

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Last week I shared with cheeks aflame how God humbled my pride, showing me that I do nothing on my own, all is from Him.

Ever since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the stories in the Bible where people actually heard the voice of God. Moses and the burning bush, Samuel in the dark of night, Jesus when we he was baptized.

I wondered why God didn’t speak out loud to us, I mean, it would make a lot of things so much easier. But if God told me what to do, all the time, then my faith wouldn’t grow. Your parents told you what to do with an audible voice, and I’m willing to bet you didn’t always follow their advice.

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

We are blessed, because we haven’t seen God and we still believe.

Even though we can’t always hear God’s voice out loud, He does speak to us.

The most important way He talks to us, is through His word. Scripture is called The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

Jesus quoted scripture in His sermons, He spoke against the devil during His tempting with scripture. Too often, we want some quick easy way to hear God, when we have it right in front us, our Bible.

I grew up going to church. I knew all the Bible stories. I’d read the entire Bible on my own as a teenager. But until I came to know the Holy Spirit, the word didn’t live for me. It didn’t speak to me. It didn’t penetrate my heart.

If you want to hear God’s voice, then you have to rely on the Holy Spirit.

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them. Acts 19:2 and 6

Without the Holy Spirit, we can’t hear God’s voice. But once we receive the Holy Spirit, God’s word will speak to you like it never did before. You will cry reading certain verses, realizing how it relates to exactly what you’re going through at the exact time you need it.

Let’s pray together.

Dear Jesus,

Please help us to hear your Holy Spirit. May He fill our hearts with your word. Draw us closer to you, Lord. Let us hear your voice shout across our souls like never before. Let your Spirit overflow from us, so that other’s will know and see you living in us. May we be on fire for you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Has God ever spoke to you? Did He reach you with scripture, a person, a story?

 

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Pioneering Today Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls Recipe

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This is one of my favorite recipes. I’ve tried the unstuffed version and the oven version, but this is best cooked on low in the slow cooker.

My picky seven-year-old will eat this with gusto and it’s even better the second day.

Ingredients

10 cabbage leaves

1/2 cup uncooked wild rice

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup minced onion

1 clove minced garlic

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper (I’m not a huge pepper fan so if you are increase to a tsp.)

1 lb. lean ground beef

Sauce

1 15 ounce can tomato sauce

2 Tbs. brown sugar

2 Tbs. lemon juice

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Boil a pot of water and add head of cabbage, cook for 2 minutes and drain. (You can freeze cabbage then thaw and skip the boiling part. We just need the leaves soft enough to roll)

Combine rice, egg, milk, onion, garlic, beef, salt, and seasonings in large bowl. Place 1/4 cup meat mixture in center of leaf and roll, tucking ends. Place seam side down in slow cooker.

Mix all sauce ingredients together and pour over rolls. Cook on low 8 hours in slow cooker. Now ooh and ahh with your family. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and sour. The texture of the cabbage reminds me of pot stickers, another favorite.

The sauce is especially good when sopped up with some homemade bread made in less than 5 minutes a day.

What’s your favorite slow cooker dish?

This recipe is featured on Kelly The Kitchen Hop’s Bog, This Chick Cooks Whole Foods Recipe Swap,  and Miz Helen’s Country Cottage Recipe Swap, and The Prairie Homestead.

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Winners of Heirloom Tarheel Green Bean Seed

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Yes, you read that right, winners. I truly wish I had enough seed to give everyone who entered a packet. I promise to let two plants go to seed so next spring I have enough for everyone. (If you haven’t, click on the sign me up button on my home page so you don’t miss future giveaways! I try to run about one a month.)

However, I asked my mom if she had any extra seed. Now, instead of one winner, we have FIVE!

The winners are:

1. Johnna

2. Lindsay Horne

3. Jaimee Porter

4. Sherrie Lou

5. Coni

Congrats! Winners please email me your mailing address at

melissaknorris(at)juno(dot)com and put Seed Winner in the subject line.

I put my order in for all heirloom seeds in my garden this year and can’t wait to share tasty recipes, gardening, and preserving fun with you. I want to thank everyone who participated and I look forward to getting to know you.

Blessings,

Melissa

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