What Every Woman Should Know

I had the pleasure of spending this last weekend, with 10 of my most favorite women on this planet! We attended the Women of Faith Conference in Portland, and when the conference was over, we spent the rest of the weekend, shopping, dining, chatting and enjoying each others company.

On Sunday night, as we were eating pizza, laughing our heads off and talking, I asked a question. I told the gals that I wanted to blog about this question, and they all agreed to be contributors.

So without further ado, here is what Kristi, Anita, Talisha, Sue, Shae, Lois, Jolene, Renee, Julie, and Damaris had to say. Please understand that this is not in the catagory of "Life-Changing Information", but it might be a snippet of information that you hadn't heard or thought of before.

I asked the question, What do you think every woman should know, about anything?"

Anita: If you have a Ceramic Flat-top Stove, do not buy the expensive cleaner for it. Instead, sprinkle the mess with baking soda and use a light scratch pad.

Shae: I needed Toasted Sesame Seeds for a recipe, so I went and bought sesame seeds that I had to toast myself. I later found out that in the Oriental Section of the store, they have toasted sesame seeds for very cheap!!
(Damaris also added that in the Latin/Mexican Aisle of a grocery store, almost all spices are in bags and a fraction of the cost of bottles or jars of expensive spices.)

Julie: I go to Costco and purchase five of the Deli Roasted Chickens for 4.99 each. We de-bone them, and freeze the meat to use in casseroles or soups. This is quick and affordable!

Jolene: Use 1/2 c. of Downy Fabric Softener mixed with 3/4 c. of water to spray on your tile or linoleum floor in the bathroom. Let it sit for a moment (not to long; it will dry and harden), then clean floor as usual. This will cause the dried hairspray on the floor to come right up!!

Lois: If you have "ring around the tub" wipe the dry tub with Dove Body Wash....then wipe off and rinse.

Damaris: If you have a stain on white or light colored clothes, soak the item of clothing in soapy water, then lay it out in the sun. The stain will disappear!

Talisha: If you have a grease spot on clothes, sprinkle the spot with Baby Powder, let it sit and rewash. The stain will be gone!
Also, to cut hot fudgy brownies, use a plastic, disposable knife...the hot brownies don't stick to the knife!

Kristi: If you are going to freeze anything with red tomato sauce (soup, spaghetti sauce....) spray Pam Non-stick on the rubbermaid container before filling. The red sauce will not stain the plastic container.

Sue: If you have a "baked on mess" in a pan, fill the pan with hot water, and place a dryer sheet in the water. Soak for a couple of hours...then wipe the baked on food off, wash pan as usual.

Last but not least...

Renee: Always check your dryer for pets before closing the door!! (She has good reason to warn us). If you forget to check, be sure to clean your filter trap twice and clean dryer repeatedly!! That is all I am going to say about that!

Women of Faith

I am sitting in this lovely hotel room in Portland, Oregon, pondering the experience of attending my 12th consecutive Women of Faith Conference!
Some of the gals are in bed, some are chatting quietly, while others are reading, and one is even trying to stay caught up on her Bible Study (can anyone guess who?).

We arrived at the arena last night, just as they closed the doors, not allowing anyone else to enter. Unsure what was happening, we stood patiently waiting. After about an hour, we heard women lead out in prayer or burst out in song, as word spread that there was something happening inside that was not good. Thousands of women around us were immediately on their cellphones, texting or calling to see what was going on.

We were eventually told that there was a bomb threat; to move away from the building, and that the Friday night conference had been cancelled. We were parked in the parking garage located beside the arena, so we made our way back to our cars and came back to the hotel.
I felt disappointment at missing the Friday night event, but was grateful that everyone was safe.

After watching the news and hearing conflicting reports about what the "bomb", we arrived back to the conference by 7:00 AM this morning, and the rest of the day was a fabulous testament to how when the enemy attempts to steal and destroy, God shows up!!
I will have more to share later on...I have to rewrite my notes, so even I can understand them.

From My Kitchen

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

3 c. flour
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg

2 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce (to replace the oil)
1 c. milk
1 c. pumpkin (canned)

Mix the dry ingredients together and set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, applesauce, milk and pumpkin. Add dry ingredients, and fold together just until moistened.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.

Topping:
6 Tbsp. chopped pecans
6 Tbsp. brown sugar
Mix together and sprinkle liberally over the top of the muffins.

Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 min.
Yields: 2 dozen muffins.

Sit down and wrap your hands around a steaming cup of coffee or chai tea, and enjoy your muffins!

(recipe taken from Mennonite Recipes from the Shenandoah Valley, Phyllis Good and Kate Good, 1999)

September

To say that September was a busy month, would be an understatement to the 'inth degree! At the beginning of the month, I looked at my calendar, and wondered if I would survive? Here is a little peek at what keep me running all month!

• Ashley turned 16!
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• Nikki started the 3rd grade at her new school.
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• Alex turned 13!
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• We kicked off Women's Mentoring at Boise First.
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• We helped to host Total Money Makeover at Boise First.
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• Tuesday Morning Bible Study began.
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• We attended three different school's Open House.
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• Caravan's and Teen's Face2Face began.
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• Our Small Group started up again.
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• Alex played 5 Football games.
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• We hosted a big family birthday party.
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• Nikki turned 9!
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• I assisted in three labors/births, to make a grand total of 17!
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• I turned 37!!
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• Took the family to hear Matt Redmond and Casting Crowns in concert.

Other than the four birthday's we have in September, those are all the busy things we did, in the process of chores, jobs, homework, laundry, housework... life!

I am so glad it is October now! My calendar is much less chaotic this month...and other than a few important things (like a trip to Women of Faith in Portland), and some babies due to arrive, it is shaping up to be a quieter month.

I am ready for Fall now! The house is attired in her Autumn colors, the pumpkins are sitting by the front door, and the smells from the kitchen are scented nutmeg and cinnamon. I am in the mood to create warmth and make pies, apple butter and soup! I put away my Summer duds, and can't wait to take some of my birthday money and go buy a couple new sweaters. I want to grab my quilt, drink a cup of hot coffee, read or watch football! I love this season!

Blessings!

Sheila