NEW! Hospitality with Michelle Duggar DVD

We recently got wind that Michelle Duggar, mom to 19 and star on the popular show 19 Kids and Counting, has a new DVD out over at Vision Forum called Hospitality with Michelle Duggar. Here is the description:

A Celebration of Family Hospitality with America’s Most Inspiring Mother

Hos-pi-tal-i-ty =The act or practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward, or with kind and generous liberality. (Definition from [link]Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)
Can you use a power boost to the expression of hospitality in your home? Michelle Duggar has touched families across the world through the Duggar family’s reality show, 19 Kids and Counting, and she’s gotten to experience hospitality’s joys, blessings, and the downright hard work it entails.

Filmed at a special ladies’ tea in San Antonio, Texas, and hosted by Beall Phillips, this film gives you an intimate 40 minutes with Michelle as she shares down-to-earth, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-tugging, examples of what hospitality looks like in the Duggar household. This transparent peek at Michelle’s personal experiences and lessons learned will give you new insights into executing biblical hospitality in your home as Michelle reveals the good, the bad, and the funny about mother-of-nineteen hospitality!

Should your house always be clean when company arrives? Should a small house size limit the entertaining you do? Find out Michelle’s perspective on these questions and more in Hospitality with Michelle Duggar. 

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. —Hebrews 13:2

Michelle has been an inspiration to millions, I am glad I had a chance to meet her personally. I am sure this DVD will be encouragement to many.

You can get a copy of Hospitality with Michelle Duggar HERE!

Fall Fun Treats--Acorn Love

There is something about fall that make me just fall in love with acorns. They beckon me, they romance me, and cause me swoon over them in stores when I find cute decor that feature them. Just the other day I was at Hobby Lobby and found some beautiful acorns adorned with sequins, glitter and fabric that were made to be bells. I was in love! I also have been inspired by all the great ideas I have been finding lately on how to make acorn treats that I would like to eventually try, so I thought I would share some of them with you:

These acorn donuts from Family Fun are so cute and SOOO simple, just two steps! I also love how they used napkins to cut out some festive fall leaves.

This simple idea is cute too and a good idea for the children or making some for friends...

If you like brownies, you could make an acorn from that using cookies to pair them up from this gal.

Acorn pans are so cute--you can make half an acorn and frost the sides together to make a full one. Some of these pans can be expensive and the lowest I have seen them is over at Amazon. 

The great thing about all of these ideas is that they are super easy and low stress. As a mom with a large family of 10 that can be a great blessing!

Oh and lest I forget...Dayspring is having a sale off of some of their cute fall tableware that have Bible verses on them:

 Let there be thankfulness to God.  -Ephesians 5:4 

  These items are on clearance (as low as $4.99) and many are half off!

You can find them here. 

There is also free shipping on orders over $50.

Hope these inspire you to try some new fall fare, decorate, and create some fun memories at your home for the autumn season!


Note: While we do occasionally link outside of this blog, we do not necessarily endorse everything on the linked site. Please use discernment. :)

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40 Amazing Breakfast Casseroles

I was on Pinterest the other day looking for recipe inspiration and stumbled across this little gem of a post featuring 40 Breakfast Casseroles for the holidays. These look amazing so I am not waiting for the holidays to try them out, what you are looking at above is Overnight Peaches and Cream French Toast  (mmmmm.....somehow just typing that out made me really hungry!).



You can find these recipes HERE.

Happy cooking!

Pssst....Vision Forum is having a HUGE clearance of over 200+ items (they added more products) up to 75% off with great homeschool finds too for a limited time while supplies last!

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Our Garden Bounty and Wise Woman Linkup!

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, 

but only God who gives the growth. 

He who plants and he who waters are one, 

and each will receive his wages according to his labor.

 For we are God's fellow workers.

  -1 Corinthians 3:6-9

(These photos are by my daughter, Naomi, after the children picked this basketful in the garden one day. Our cucumbers did amazingly well this year many over a foot long! My son, Ravi, was so pleased since it is his favorite vegetable to plant. He likes to run inside showing them to us and measuring each one asking me if it is good enough to enter into the county fair!) 

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We would love for you to link up with us---share your posts on  building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, recipes, parenting, marriage, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

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Homemade Recipe: Baked Kale Chips

You might remember earlier this year, my husband went on a juice fast for 60 days and lived to tell about it. Well, I wanted to be a supportive wife and grow some kale in our garden for him since that was one of the key ingredients in his juicing and so that he would always have it available whenever our farmers market was out.

We grew a lot, and I didn't know what to do with it. I had never grown up eating kale (kale? what's that?) so I didn't have any experience with it there. Steve liked to go to the garden and eat it raw and so did my kids and the neighborhood kids. I was glad to know they were enjoying this superfood right in our backyard, but what to do with the rest?

 (some kale from my garden)

Now I've found the answer! Super easy and the kids love it---baked kale chips. Sounds strange, right? Don't knock it until you try it! I whipped up a batch and they gobbled that up in a flash so they requested that I make another batch. That was gone instantly too.

I think we found a winner.

Here is the recipe. Just three ingredients and so simple!

Baked Kale Chips

Ingredients

• 1 bunch kale
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt. 
3. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes. 

I was told you could also use water in this recipe instead of oil and use different toppings such as garlic powder, crushed almonds, etc. Experiment with cooking time and how much oil you use, it can make all the difference.

I also found this link to make kale 10 different healthy ways. You can throw it in soup, spaghetti, casseroles, and a whole bunch of other ways.



Do you have a special recipe for kale that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear from you!

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Artful Homemaking--Homeschool Preparation

I have been so blessed by Joy over at Artful Homemaking this past month, I love when I find blogs that really speak to me in the area of homemaking and remind me of what I would love to spend my time doing.

I stumbled across her blog when we were having a tough week, my husband had come down with a bug and we had that horrible heat wave that brought storms, knocked out our AC and power and we had to cancel our summer getaway to visit friends up in Michigan. I was tired and her blog was a balm to my soul!

She blogs about many things domestic that you should definitely read, but today I am going to share a few posts that inspired me in the area of homeschooling. I know that the school year is about to begin for many of you or that you are in the planning stages so I though that I would share some posts I liked from her. You can click on any of the images to take you to the post.

Keeping Little Ones Busy

So many moms ask how to keep the little ones busy while they are homeschooling their older students. This post has sooooooooo many creative ideas to help a mom prepare for this, I love, love, love all of her ideas and some can easily be made with everyday items around your home.

I can't wait to make this I Spy Bottle!

Planning a New School Year 

There is something special about planning a new year and when I read this post, she reminded me of how I like to prepare, she also lists a few helpful resources as well. She also shares tips at this link on how to  homeschool on a budget .

Our Homeschool Room

 Here Joy gives us a full tour of her homeschool room and how she keeps it organized. I love all the baskets that she keeps to organize, her nature shelf and so forth. It inspires me to tackle my homeschool room and make it fresh for the new school year ahead.

I love that she has a basket for this that she can just whip out at a moments notice and take to any room it is needed.

Toy Organization 

I included this because before every new school year I have to organize the toys too! This post is a great visual of how it can all work (for me, I like to keep the bulk of the toys in the basement where they can go fetch what they would like but can be put away for company, etc.). I hope it helps you too!

Now go on and visit her, trust me, you will be blessed! 

(Thanks, Joy, for all the inspiration!) 

And next week we will be covering more ideas for homeschooling so be sure to visit....

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Thankful Homemaker and $50 Vision Forum Gift Certificate Giveaway!

How many of you have heard about Marci over at Thankful Homemaker? She is such a sweet gal and she loves to blog about many of the same things I do such as:

• Homemaking
• Biblical Womanhood
• Parenting
• Education
• Grandparenting (I don't blog on this yet, but hope to one day!)
• Health and more

 (Marci and her husband, Doug)

I got a chance to get to know Marci a bit more since we both co-authored (along with 10 others) the newly released eBook, The Heart of Simplicity. Here is a recent fun video she made recently with her daughter on how to make homemade sunscreen:









She also did a series on how to organize your home called the Room by Room , has tips for memorizing scripture and evangelism, a Homemaking Binder you won't want to miss including a fun weekly linkup on Tuesdays. Here is an excerpt from her blog post entitled The Beauty of Self Control:

"Our emotions were given to us by God to glorify Him and enjoy Him.  Think of how our emotions enrich our lives everyday.  When we are happy to see our husbands come home from work, the joy we feel from hugging our children, the surprise in receiving flowers from our husband, the excitement of getting all the laundry caught up.  Imagine life without these emotions - you can't - emotions make our lives meaningful.  They are a gift from God.

Let's look at the negative emotions such as fear, despair, guilt and loneliness.  These serve a purpose too - they reveal the state of our hearts and our hearts govern our feelings.  When I am feeling loneliness I need to bring my emotions back to the truth of God's Word - His Word says, "I will never leave you or forsake you."  "I am with you always".  When I am feeling guilt, "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  We need to bring our emotions in line with the truth of His Word and glorify God in our emotions. "

The Giveaway

Marci is generously giving away a gift certificate for $50 to Vision Forum (our favorite Christian online store) to one of our special readers!

You may enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope you win!

Thank you, Marci!

You may visit her HERE.

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Homes are Powerful Places

Homes have been under attack for so long that we have a hard time even imagining how powerful they can be. We think of a “homemaker” as a woman cross stitching something to hang over the potpourri. We imagine domestic arts as something that is limited to people who didn’t pursue a real education. We might feel sheepish telling someone that we “just” stay at home. But that is nothing to be embarrassed about; our work at home means that God's word may not be reviled (Titus 2:5).

Homes are tremendously powerful places, because they are where people come from. There is no more important thing that you could be doing.

You do not go home to hide from the world, you go home to change it.



Read the entire article HERE. 

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Homemaking Fun: Fruity Summer Drinks

One of the best parts about homemaking is being able to do the special things for your family and add the little touches that make a house a home...

I love now that it is summer my mind can turn to relaxing slow days and leisurely filling my calendar with things that I have been looking forward to doing.  Summertime is the time for cool drinks by the pool, BBQ's and the beach. Fruity drinks are a summertime delight and I'd love to treat myself and my family to this Pineapple Strawberry Cooler that you see pictured above.

 Here is another great idea-- frozen fruit ice cubes gives you an opportunity to have several kinds of flavors all at once, look festive AND helps everyone stay cool. This would be great for children as a snack on a hot summer day.

 

And Fuss Free Cooking has some excellent ideas on Fruit Infused Coconut Water that I would also like to try. As child and I remember spending my days, when we lived on the island of Guam, happily breaking open fresh coconuts with friends from palm trees in the neighborhood and drinking straight from the shell to get that refreshing coconut water. How I miss those simple times! Childhood seems to slip by too quickly...

What special plans do you have planned this summer? Are you planning to go anywhere special, take on any new projects, recipes or planning extra fun? If so, I'd love to hear them!

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I *Love*Blessings Unlimited (& Giveaway!)

Here at the blog we love to share wonderful Christian companies with our readers and I have to tell you that I cannot wait to tell you about Blessings Unlimited.

Do you see that beautiful apron above? Well, it was sent to me recently and I'm telling you, it is so pretty I don't want to take it off! You can't tell in the picture but at the bottom of the apron you will also find a multi-colored 3-tier ruffle...

*I love ruffles!*

I posted this picture on Facebook and someone actually thought it was an outfit and thought it would look pretty with leggings. Ladies, I am telling you, this apron looks fabulous with everything and I am even tempted to wear it to the store, to the library, and to church (yes, I am that weird) because it is that cute.

And they also carry some other beautiful items that caught my eye like these lovely, inspiring cups:

With darling matching plates:

And there was so much goodness to share with you, I knew I couldn't fit it all in so I had to make a collage:

Don't you just love it?
(you can click on the images) 

They also sell totes, wall decor, home accessories, gifts for him, books, cards, and much more.


You can check out their items HERE.

The Giveaway

Marci, who is an Independent Consultant for Blessings Unlimited would like to generously give an item of your choice of up to $50 to one special reader!

You can enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope you win!

Thank you, Marci!

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 Would you like to advertise on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home?
Click here for our rates or contact me at wisewomanads@gmail.com

The Domestic Artist: Homemade Bread Recipe

Our dear contributor, Miss Jen, who writes for our Domestic Artist category, just got a new blog design makeover--hope on over and visit to take a peek:

Blessed Femina

And today she is sharing her favorite Homemade Bread recipe:

 
Homemade Bread

“Good bread is the most fundamentally
satisfying of all foods.....”
~James Beard

This is my favorite homemade bread.... ever since having
it when I was a wee one at my dear friends the Swanson's
home, I have been a big fan. Mrs.Swanson usually
has some loaves in the oven and all who partake
of her delicious bread are very satisfied, indeed!!!
Last year Mrs. Swanson graciously gave
me a long awaited "bread lesson"
as well as her wonderful recipe to go along with it.
I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do...

Is there anything so wonderful as fresh
bread baking in the oven?!
The aroma in my opinion is simply marvelous!!

 
The Happy Bread Maker....

Awww....

"Is there any felicity in the world superior to this?"

~ Sense and Sensibility

The recipe...

Mrs.Swanson's
Homemade Bread
3 1/2 cups Warm Liquid~
Such as any of these...
Milk, Cooked Pureed Squash,
Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Sour Cream,
Cottage Cheese or Water etc... Be creative :)*I normally like to do about half milk and
half cooked pureed white squash.*
The liquid should be warm to the wrist but
not hot... about 110 degrees or so.

1 Tablespoon Yeast
1 Tablespoon~
Sugar, Honey or Molasses
4 Tablespoons Canola Oil
1 Tablespoon Salt
About 8 cups~ Flour

~Egg Wash~1 egg + 1 T. water
Beat together... until smooth

In a kitchen aid mixer bowl...
combine 3 1/2 cups warm liquid, and 1 T. yeast.
swiftly combine and set aside covered with
towel for about 3-5 minutes... till it is
frothy, and about doubled.
Meanwhile in a separate bowl...
combine~ Sugar, Oil & Salt
Combine into the liquid yeast mixture.
Then with your dough hook attached
slowly pour in your flour and let dough hook
kneed for about 3-4 minutes until...
the dough is soft & has elasticity.

Pour dough into a greased bowl and let rise
in a warm place for about
1-2 hours till doubled.
( I normally turn my oven on to the lowest temp....
then turn it off, then place the bread
bowl with dough in the warm oven to rise)
Punch dough down with fist to deflate air...
Divided dough in half and shape into
2 braided loaves or simply place in 2 greased
loaf pans...cover with cloth and let rise
till the dough is doubled.
Lightly and gently brush egg wash on bread
and sprinkle with rolled oats
or poppy seeds if desired.
Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for
approximately~ 55-60 minutes.
Enjoy!!!

A Fresh Loaf...

“Good bread is the great need in poor homes, and
oftentimes the best appreciated
luxury in the homes of the very rich.”
~A Book for A Cook

Hope you all are having a most Lovely,
Pleasant and Blessed Week!!!
Many Blessings!!

"For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee."
-Psalm 128:2

Having just turned 21, Jen finds great joy in serving her family from home. She firmly believes that the home is a beautiful canvas for biblical hospitality, servanthood and discipleship.  All aspects of homemaking are on her list of interests including gourmet cooking, baking, calligraphy, sewing and embroidery. She is also inspired by photography, music, theology and biblical womanhood. Miss Jen blogs at Blessed Femina, which she founded in the fall of 2008 to document her blessed life as a daughter/homemaker-in- training and to encourage other women in Biblical femininity. Happily residing in sunny northern California with her parents, it is her greatest desire to live a life depicted in I Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

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Putting in the Garden, Our Visit to Taltree Arboretum, and Gardening Event Invitation

Last week we put in much of our vegetable garden.

I love making my way through garden centers and looking over all the great flowers, trees, bushes, and gardening supplies. The children and I planted two types of lettuces, kale, onions, sweet peas, green peppers, tomatoes, bush beans, mammoth sunflowers, and zinnias for cutting. I hope they all make it and was told by the lady at the store that planting after Mother's day in my area should be just fine. I love going out to the garden to check on them to see how they are doing. This year I also plan to utilize my farmers market wisely and when great deals strike and I am going to freeze everything for future use and to save money!

Some of you are very good at gardening and some of you have not tried it yet. I encourage you to learn this skill this year if you haven't yet and also to bring your children along side with you so that they can learn this valuable skill as well. 

I also have a small blueberry and concord grape bush waiting to be planted. I can't wait to get these in the ground and hopefully plan to get that in soon.

This past week we visited Taltree Arboretum and Gardens. Taltree boasts 300 acres of woody plant collections, gardens, wetlands, woodlands, trails, and prairie. Its nice to visit other gardens for inspiration! The highlight of the day was the Railroad Garden that was just beautifully peaceful. Here are some pictures:

Beautiful waterfalls were built within...

If you are in the area you should stop by.

Our church is also hosting a gardening event called "Back to Eden: Gardening for a Healthy Life"

where they will be teaching:

-Basic and advanced gardening
-How to plant pumpkins
-How to build a raised bed garden
-How to transplant ground cover and other plants
-How to build a screened in shelter!

and giving away $50 of free trees and plants!

So if you are not doing anything this weekend come and visit us!

 You can read more details HERE. 

(Note: there is a limited amount of people who can attend this event so let us know if you think you can come to reserve your spot.)

Have you started your garden yet and what have you planted?

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