God's Word Wednesday

Several followers have asked...."how is your brother's church doing?"  I am happy to say - really good.  Read more here in earlier post:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2013/07/good-samaritan-elderon-wi-apostolic.html

Two weeks ago, Frank's message was about being encouraged in God's Word.  He had us go around and read our favorite scripture and what it means to us.  He challenged us to encourage others with God's word - the Bible.

The very next day, I was working at the antique shop.  This elderly gentleman came in.  He was asking about a pattern of depression glass his wife collects.  She was waiting in the car.  He tells me that his world has turned "topsy turvy" over the past 6 months.  Decline in his wife's health, selling their life long home, moving to an assisted living - you know - what everyone of us will face one day.  He actually had tears in his eyes.  

I felt, I knew in my heart, my spirit told me what I needed to do - encourage him with God's word.  I said "sir, Jesus just told me that I need to pray for you and your wife."  If you are a regular follower, you know how experience has taught me to listen to Him.  Those experiences, Frank's message the night before and my empathy for his situation helped me to be BOLD.  I handed him one of our church's cards and said that the people who attend want you to know we are praying for you.  

Did I offend him?  Was he mean to me?  No, he actually looked happy and said "thank you."  

So, I am going to try to do as many regular posts that I can on Wednesdays called God's Word Wednesday.

Let's encourage each other with His Words.  Feel free to leave a comment of what scripture is your favorite.  

So this week my word was BOLD.  

According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:  In whom we have BOLDNESS and access with confidence by the faith of him.  Ephesians 3:11-12

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivational Monday - Self Control

Sometimes I like to blame my bad behavior on my genetics.  My favorite one is... "well, I can't help it I have crazy Kincaid genes...."  My mom's family is known for their "passion."  No matter the subject, expressing, arguing and passionate communication were a part of my life.  I know I've inherited that - whether it is genetic or learned - I struggle with my "passionate personality."  

Nothing, however, has brought out my "crazy" more than motherhood.  I was the mom on the "nut" list.  My mom taught me that "if you don't stick up for your kids, no one will."  My mom was often referred to as a "mama bear."  I find it complimentary when people say "don't say anything to Jacky's kids - she gets crazy."  I am a MAMA BEAR through and through.  

Over the years, this "trait" has proven to be beneficial.  My ability to be strong when facing an adversary like - cancer - was an asset.  On the other hand, my inability to contain my "crazy" has caused me a tremendous amount of stress.  My reaction to people or situations have not always been favorable.  I later regret things I've done or said.  

My children are adults now.  I have invested all I had in them.  Alan and I feel we did the best job we knew how to do.  It is hard to let go and let them go.  

Yesterday, I was challenged with, dare I say tempted with, an ugly situation of verbal attack on one of my daughters.  I felt I had an idea of how this person felt about this matter - I had no idea how strongly opposed they were.  It happen to be that I was on the receiving end of their "crazy."  I remained calm and listened.  

I called Alan and told him what happened...word for word...he paused and said "what did you do?"  Oh, he knows me so well.  I don't let anyone talk to me like that!  What I did and what I wanted to do were 2 different things.   When he heard how I handled it he said "wow, I'm so proud of you!"  You see, what I wanted to do was punch this person in the face, grab them by their belt loop and collar and kick their a** out the door.  I hate to admit, but, have experience in doing.  Listening and remaining calm....I don't have experience in.  

What made me stop, was that I have changed.  No, really, this past year or more of reflection - changed me!  I don't want to be like that!  I thought of me and how I would feel after I had an altercation with this person and I stopped, remained calm and walked away!  Yey for me!  

Thank you Jesus!  Oh, I know that this matter isn't over - it might never be - but, how I react to this family and what I say will be forever changed by how proud I feel of myself and the self confidence gained from my self control.  So, this is what self control feels like....I LIKE it!

So, dear followers, please pray for me.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Highlights from Holiday Open House

These are a few photos from our holiday open house at Grand Repeats in Wausau, WI.  Thank you to all the great customers who visited us at the shop.  We appreciate your business!

Marilyn's room

beautiful pewter

Marilyns room

Kathy's room

These 3 are from my room

Grand Repeats 

 Thanks Renee for the red berries.

Gloria's friend made really good treats!  Everyone LOVED them!  Keep checking the facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/GrandRepeats  Gloria will post more of our upcoming events.  

We will host the Handmade, Remade Vintage Bazaar on Saturday, December 14, 2013.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Grand Repeats Holiday Open House

I haven't been blogging this week.  I'm getting my Christmas stuff ready for our open house at Grand Repeats in Wausau.  It is Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 @11-7 and Nov. 9 @10-6.  

I have a lot of new inventory to include:  huge oak (original finish/patina) harvest table; country cupboard - step back with glass door top; wicker plant stand filled with greens; prim crackly green "garden" table - or for your porch for the holidays; lots of "new" Christmas inventory - not out in previous years; vintage aprons; vintage linens; old quilts; crocks and farm kitchen wares.  I will keep adding to the inventory as items sell.  It is only Nov. 7 after all!  

We plan to host a "Handmade, Re-made, Vintage Bazaar - on Saturday, December 14 at the shop as well.  I will keep you updated with what I am making for that.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Thrifty Thursday - Henrietta Hen

For this edition of "Thrifty Thursday" I am going to feature this Goodwill find - Henrietta Hen.  

One of the many things I collect is chickens.  I have a kitchen full of chicken related items.  Not to mention a yard and chicken coop full of live ones.

On a recent trip to Goodwill, my daughter Anna found this appliance.   I love buying gadgets and appliances from thrift stores.  This was marked $4.99 with a blue tag.  The blue tags were 1/2 off this day so I paid $2.49 (plus tax).   Most thrift shops have an outlet to try the appliances before you buy to make sure that they work.

We brought it home and have been making eggs in this several times a week.  It works SUPER!  

You can still buy this on Amazon - but, it is $29.99.  We saved $27.  

You can poach or make boiled eggs.  The bottom of the appliance has different levels that are marked where to fill with the water for what type of egg you are making.  I do add more water for poaching during the cooking time,  depending on the softness I want for the yolk.  When Henrietta is done, she will chirp.  

I spray the egg tray when making poached eggs.  The little "needle" on the boiled egg tray is important - you poke a hole in each egg before you put the raw egg in the tray.  This prevents the egg from exploding while cooking.  

Not only a useful tool - but, it's cute!  In just minutes - you can have a breakfast like this...

So, I challenge you on this "Thrifty Thursday" to go out to the thrift shops and give new life to some old appliance.  Saving money and reusing items is the key to thrifty.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Low Fat Harvest Muffins

Low Fat Harvest Muffins

1 pkg. pumpkin spice pudding
1/2 C low fat/no fat yogurt
15 oz. can pumpkin
1 1/2 C shredded carrots
3 eggs
1/2 C skim milk
1 t vanilla
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt

Put all of this in a big bowl and stir together.  I did this by hand.  Mix well. 

Add to the wet mixture - in same bowl and mix by hand the following:

1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C molasses
1 C oatmeal
2 C flour
1 C chopped walnuts

Mix well.  I used an ice cream scoop - makes 24 muffins.  I used paper liners, the next time I will just spray the pan.  The muffins stick to the paper.  Bake 350 for about 30 min. or until done.  

If you follow my blog, you know I like to make up recipes.  I made this one up as well.  If you are on Weight Watchers, 3.5 ppt per muffin.  You could make it for 2.5 ppt by taking out the walnuts.  

Wisconsin is getting colder - the other morning we woke up to a chilly 17.  My "nesting" instincts have kicked in.  Baking is a part of that.  Enjoy, they are really good.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivation Monday - Creating Habits

In our Weight Watcher's meeting, our leader was challenging us with "habits."  Apparently, facts show that creating a good habit takes longer than creating a bad habit.  Really??  This had me thinking - good or bad, how long would it take for an activity to become automatic.

I'm not one to hear something and just believe it.  I need to study up on it.  So, I Googled it...apparently, others wanted to know this answer as well.  Most articles show that a habit takes 21 days or 3 weeks to form.  This magical number of 21 days came from a study done in the 1960's from a psychologist studying amputees.  He found that it took on average these individuals 3 weeks to adjust to the loss of their limb.  I'm not a clinical anything...however, I do know a close friend whom lost both legs and most of his fingers due to a horrific infection to his body (he didn't have a spleen) - after 12 years - it is safe to say he is still adjusting.  His daily activities might have become a "habit" - how to do every day activities without the use of his limbs - but, emotionally adjusting to this - I know took longer than 21 days.

After additional study, I feel the statement made in our Weight Watcher meeting was true with one major difference.  Good or bad, easier or smaller activities do take less time to form as habit than harder ones.  For example, deciding to drink a glass of water before each meal is an easier activity than jogging 1 mile every day.  So, forming that habit will or should take less time. 

I know I don't hold a degree in psychology or clinical study, but I know a thing or two about me and human nature.  We are all individuals, with our own personality traits, strengths and weaknesses.  How could you lump everyone into a generalization of "21 days to success or 3 weeks to: ...(fill in the blank).  Answer - you can't.  

So, whatever you are trying to motivate yourself to do.  Whatever habit you are trying to beat or create.  Understand that - it will take longer than 21 days or 3 weeks.  Stick with it, work at it, strive to be "better" and be kind to yourself.  We are all "works in progress" as long as we are living.  Quit making excuses, decide to change and get started.  

Habits - our behavior - will become automatic with each step forward.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.