O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24 NLT)

A common complaint I hear from parents is the panic and pressure around getting the school lunches make.  Without a little planning and forethought a parent is left dolling out more cash than they want so their kids can buy the lunch Mom ran out of time to prepare.

As a child I have to admit lunch time was not all that exciting. To put it bluntly my mom offered us very little variety. I don’t believe there is a number high enough to count how many times we ate boxed chicken noodle soup!  To this day I have a little difficulty looking at the box.

My Mom wasn’t lazy. She was merely trying to raise 6 girls on a tight budget while working part time. We probably didn’t help matters much because rather than complaining, we did what good children should and continued to tell her how much we loved the lunch she made us. Until this article, I don’t think my mom knows what I think of boxed chicken soup.

While my Mom wasn’t the only one raising a large family and working, she was one of the moms who lacked imagination when it came to the lunch menu.

One girl at school who had a working Mom always brought lunches with variety. Sometimes she would have a thermos with left over stew, chili or mac & cheese.  Sometimes her Mom would put boiled water in a thermos and drop in a weiner.  By the time lunch came the hotdog was cooked and warm.

Other days she would have sandwiches–all different kinds.  The sandwiches were made ahead of time and frozen. It was a family effort one Saturday afternoon a month.  Having these prepared sandwiches allowed her to grab the one of her choice. The sandwich was perfectly thawed in time for lunch. The garnish for the sandwiches, like lettuce and sliced cucumbers were brought separately and added just before eating.

Then there were the kids I envied, the kids whose moms took cookie cutters and cut the sandwiches into hearts and other shapes. They always had a special treat–a cookie, a brownie or an unusual fruit.  If you are making the sandwich anyway, it doesn’t take a whole lot longer to cut out a few shapes.

If you really want to be Mom of the year, throw a note in once awhile.  Write a verse of scripture that reminds your little one just how much you and God love them. Trust me, the lunches you make for your kids now will be remembered for many years to come.

So before your children vow to never eat a sandwich or boxed soup again, use a little lunchbox creativity. Variety doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.  Planning ahead is the key!

Tiny Tuna Wraps

Ingredients
1 can Tuna
2 T salad dressing
6 flat breads
2 Large dill pickles (Cut lengthwise then quartered)

Prepare tuna as desired.  (I like to add a little salad dressing).

Spread over flat bread.  Add ¼ dill pickle and roll.  Cut into 5 sandwich rounds.

Hamburger Bun Pizzas

1 Hamburger bun
1 tsp ketchup (or tomato paste)
1 slices mozzarella cheese
1 slices of salami
1 slices of pepperoni

Slice hamburger bun. (If not already purchased that way).  Spread tomato sauce on one side of the bun.  Put cheese on other side of the bun and layer with salami and pepperoni.  Put bun together to form sandwich.  Microwave until cheese melts.  Cut into quarters to make pizza wedges.  (Add any other toppings as desired before heating.)

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.
- Jeremiah 17:7, The Message

Summer always seems to be a time for relaxing and having fun.  You don’t have to put on the trappings of winter before stepping outside–there’s a freedom the colder months don’t offer.

Just as our clothes are lighter, our diets often seem light too, preferring fruits and salads to soups and stews.   Spending long hours inside cooking may seem like a nice way to get through a cold winter day, but not so for summer.  Summer meals need to be quick and light.  Gardens are overflowing with fresh fruit and vegetables that our taste buds have longed for, in fact I know many people who would choose the “garden” tomato over the store bought any time.

If you have never been creative in making your salads, start now.  My only rule to a great salad is that the food in it be fresh. A great salad base can be anything from spinach, to pasta, to the many variations of lettuce.

To the salad base you can add almost any combination of fruit or vegetables.  But don’t stop there.  Pick a favourite cheese, and some nuts. Top with your favorite salad dressing and you have a gourmet feast. To make your salad more of a main-course, add some meat or eggs. Don’t stick with the same old–same old, mix it up a little–be daring!

When in Phoenix I discovered the most interesting “salad” restaurant.  Pretty much the whole restaurant was dedicated to salad, offering endless containers of lettuce greens, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and nuts. There was also a great selection of dressings. You could eat there every day, and with enough imagination probably never have the same meal twice.

I tried this concept in my own kitchen. I went to the market and picked up a variety of greens, vegetables and fruit.  I spent a few minutes chopping them salad size and then placed the varied containers in my fridge.  It was wonderful having my own salad bar at my fingertips!  It was a great way to enjoy a delicious light meal without taking away any time from the summer sun.

If a sandwich is your passion, make sure you try a toasted tomato or cucumber sandwich.  If you have never had one it will be on your list of things you crave.

One more thing…  Don’t just fill your bodily passions this summer – remember your spirit.  Just as we all long for the fresh fruits of summer, our spirits longs for those fresh fruits too.  That fresh fruit that can be had during any season by the Christian who trusts in their God the way Jeremiah advises!

A few months back, I offered 27 variations of spinach salad. Since that went over so well, I’m giving you a sample fridge bar that offers 65 different ways to fix salad:

Sample Fridge Salad Bar:
Offering more than 65 salad varieties!

Pick one choice from each category or, pick all choices from each category.  You can even leave out categories altogether!  No rules to a good salad.  Add meats and eggs for even more variety.  Don’t forget to try a new salad dressing with it!

I’ve been so encouraged and inspired by readers and fellow bloggers regarding how they’ve taken bits and pieces from my Reluctant Entertainer theme, and have put those ideas into place in their own lives!  People are experiencing freedom in learning how to serve others in love, focusing on people, many times centered around food!

One recent story went like this:

I just wanted to let you know how inspiring and encouraging your blog is, and to send kudos to you. From seeing all of your great get-togethers with friends, I felt encouraged to invite a couple of my dearest friends over for an afternoon to celebrate their birthdays. I bought them each a planter and a variety of flowers and luckily it was a beautiful day, so we planted flowers and talked and enjoyed our time together. Somehow, completely unplanned, our conversation turned to God and I shared with them a story that had happened to me during my pregnancy with the twins that cemented my belief in God, and that He is present in our lives. Even though I don’t attend church, my faith and love for God is firmly in place.

I’m amazed at how God works through friendships, love, and food!  My friend provided a pleasant and relaxed environment, and like many of my entertaining experiences in my home, they ended up talking about God, our creator and giver of life!  Though simple at first glance, I would call these times “substantial.”

As my friend opened her home to an easy time together with friends, I can’t help but think of how Jesus commended people for doing simple things.  He showed that the common or simple things in life could sometimes be the most important.

This past summer, I invited my girl cousins to my home for a luncheon. I kept things very simple, as time was short (a few came on their lunch hours!).  I made a large green salad, and a few other cousins brought various salads. I set the table, pulled out cloth napkins, and I served water for the beverage.  How simple is that?  Looking back on that special day and this wonderful group of ladies (many of my cousins are new grandmas!), the day turned out to be a gift from God. Little did we know that just three short months later, one of us would be diagnosed with brain cancer–overnight–and taken from us shortly thereafter.

What if we hadn’t had this time together?  What if I hadn’t run with my luncheon idea?  What if I hadn’t taken that prompting in my heart and made something happen, by going the extra mile and making an effort to set the date, contact the cousins, and to work around one cousin’s schedule who lives out of town?  It never would have happened.

I think of times where I’ve tried something different–having the ladies in my neighborhood (who I didn’t know) over for a salad potluck, hosted families on the spur of the moment, taken children overnight to help their parents, entertained when my house wasn’t clean, and even made room at the table for unexpected guests. In every situation, I was glad we invited those others in, even if it may have inconvenienced us a little at the time.

Reluctant entertainers around the country are learning that if they’ll just set aside their reluctance, their very simple efforts will make some great things happen.

Have a crazy idea for reaching out to others?  Run with your ideas or promptings! If you are inspired to dare to do something different – DO IT!

I’m glad I did, as I’m sure my friend Sarah, who had a day of flower-planting with her friends, did too.

I love graciously entertaining in my home, and an important aspect of that love comes from being in sync with my husband. Being in sync in many ways – spiritually, physically, emotionally, and regarding how we work together in reaching out.  Although I first loved entertaining more than my husband did, he eventually joined in – and he now shares in my bliss!

This love for entertaining didn’t happen overnight for my husband. His biggest fear was making conversation with others, and keeping it going throughout the meal. It took time for him to gain confidence, but when he saw how much I cared about our guests and how I loved to cook, he was inspired to become a better conversationalist, and jumped on the entertaining bandwagon with me. He started helping out when we hosted others, by adding his flair for making appetizers, barbequing, and picking out the music.  The rhythm of our entertaining has blossomed and continues to this day.

My husband’s choice to reach out and grow a hospitable spirit has had great impact on our children.  In a way, he’s creating the basis for what will serve them most once they are adults.  Being raised in a home known for Irish hospitality, my husband learned the basics about serving others.  He learned that it wasn’t the contents of a home, but the importance of making one feel welcome in it.  Now as we get ready to welcome our guests, we always include the kids in our preparations.  Even though he is not purposely creating a picture of “hospitality” for our children, my husband is fashioning for them a gift that will carry them through life.

Our harmony in opening up our home has been a gift to our children.  They will understand hospitality when they become adults.  They will know and remember how their father carried the conversation at the dining table – and how he reached out to individuals in a way that was honest and helpful.  They will remember watching him question guests with concern, and also share with them his own struggles and joys.  They’ll remember how we worked as a family, preparing for our guests.  Starting the barbeque, cleaning the pool, mowing the lawn, or any last minute chores.  Even though things do not have to be perfect, they still learn to “prepare.”

They will also remember how their father was in sync with their mother.  And how we worked together.  Even when we were tired or didn’t feel like it, we still made an effort. Entertaining is not for the tired and the weak (although you still learn to open up your heart, even when you are tired).  It takes energy, planning, and organization.

We’ve determined that once a solid foundation for hospitality is laid, the rest is simple.  As we give of ourselves, ministering through food and conversation, we receive a great sense of satisfaction in knowing that it’s not about us – at all.

It has become a rewarding part of life for us. We’ve developed an entertaining style that is gracious.  And as we always say, it’s real entertaining for real people.  As Pope John XXIII said: “It’s easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.”

Here’s to husbands who seek to be good examples to their families!

“Thou art my God since my mother bare me.”
~ Psalm 22:10

Being a mom is one of the greatest responsibilities bestowed on a human. If you compare it to other things God asks us to do it can be overwhelming.

I sing on our worship team at church.  If I mess up on this ministry, what is the worse that could happen? I sing a flat note?  I go a little off key?  I might even prevent someone from entering into worship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—but only temporarily. The ministry of being a mother entrusted with influencing another life is much more awesome in comparison.

Now the purpose of this observation is not to frighten you—but encourage you—honestly.

Take a good look at the children God has entrusted you with. Whether they are 2 or 52 they still need YOUR influence in their lives. God has given YOU unique talents, gifts and qualities perfectly suited to mould and encourage the lives that you parent. He knit you together in your mother’s womb—knowing exactly what qualities you would need for His perfect plan.  He is the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End. He saw your child’s life before you were formed. He knew your shortcomings. You were fearfully and wonderfully made.

What amazes me most about the job of a mom is how unrewarding it APPEARS. Sure you get the odd “I love you mom” or a homemade card on Mother’s day—but does that really make it all worthwhile?

When you wash dirty dishes, dirty laundry and dirty faces, do you get a big “thank you?” When you go without sleep just to keep up, does anyone appear to care?  When you do without and are thrifty with resources so that your family can have that special something, does anyone notice the sacrifice? The words you impart into their sweet hearts often seem to land on deaf ears. Yet, after all that work and sacrifice, it is mom who lies awake at night worrying about whether she is doing or has done a good enough job.

Remember God made who you are. God loves who you are. He knew exactly what you would, and wouldn’t do. He imparted to you all that was necessary to equip your child for a relationship with Him.  If He needed you to be perfect He would have made you that way.

Some mom’s receive a partial reward when they see the life they formed seeking after God. Other mother’s pass away, before ever seeing the outcome of their efforts. What drives mothers and keeps them going, is that in their hearts, mothers know the real reward is not to be found on this earth—it awaits them. A reward bestowed by their Heavenly Father, who sees and knows each and EVERY sacrifice they’ve made.

So, mom, next time you are feeling unworthy and like you didn’t do enough—take comfort in knowing that you did exactly what God expected you to. Thank Him for the precious life he entrusted you with, and wait with joy for your reward is not of this earth.

Here are a couple of cake recipes that my mom passed on to me. I remember many Saturday afternoons as a young girl, shredding carrots with my mom for our cake, then later topping that cake with a delicious cream cheese icing that she taught me to make. And I could never forget her Date Cake, for it’s truly my favorite of them all.

Carrot Cake

Bake 350°F
1 Hour

Ingredients:
3C shredded carrots
4 eggs
2C sugar
2C flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1C corn oil (add last)

Procedure:
Mix eggs and sugar.  Then add shredded carrots.
In a separate bowl sift dry ingredients together.  Add to carrot mixture.  Pour oil over all ingredients and mix.

Pour into greased 9” x 12” pan (or bundt pan) and bake.

Top with cream cheese icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:
2 oz Cream cheese
1 C Icing sugar
1/4C butter
1 tsp vanilla

Procedure:
Combine ingredients and spread over carrot cake.

Mom’s Date Cake

Bake 350°F                   30 minutes

Ingredients
Oat Mixture:
1 ¼ C rolled oats
1 ¾ C flour
1 ½ C brown sugar
1 C butter
1 tsp baking soda
2 T lemon juice

Date Filling:
1 ½ C dates
¼ C brown sugar
1T lemon juice

Procedure:
Mix ingredients in oat mixture together until crumbly.  Put half of mixture in bottom of 9” x12” cake pan.

Put ingredients of date filling in small saucepan with enough water to cover dates.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer until thick.  Stir constantly.  When cool spread over oat mixture.

Place remainder of oat mixture over top of dates in pan and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

And as it was budding, its blossoms came out, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. Genesis 40:10b (NAS)

As winter memories fade we begin to see new life springing forth everywhere we look. Tender shoots once again push their way through soil as the sun’s warm beams beckon.  The trees look ready to burst into green lusciousness at any moment. The sounds are different, the smells are different. Spring is bursting forth!

There is a newness, a freshness and a feeling of freedom that comes with spring.  The world around us is transformed.

Windows closed for months are finally opened to welcome in the elements. Heavy coats and boots are shed for lighter jackets and shoes. Outdoors you find friends and neighbors that seem to have been hidden away for months.

Things are changing–even our diet. Tired of soups and stews that warmed us through winter we look for foods that reflect the new life around us. Fresh fruits and salads are once again craved.

Everything seems transformed.

As we look on in awe we remember… “He changes times and seasons!” (Daniel 2:21a (NIV) What an awesome God we serve!  A God who would put so much attention into the smallest details knowing just how each would stimulate all our wonderful senses He blessed us with.  Who can fathom that kind of love?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 promises that TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. Have you every really thought about that?  The God who put so much detail into the sights, sounds, and smells of spring puts the same care and attention into each season of your life that He wants you to walk through.

Just like Spring, embrace the season in your life God has brought you to. Take time to absorb all that season has to offer and to soak in the blessings that come with it.

Just like the earth’s seasons, we know that some seasons are harder to bear. Yet, each is beautiful in its own way and each season will end. Don’t miss the blessing of the season you are in, by always looking back. Embrace God where He has you now.

There is both sadness and joy when seasons end. Sadness for what is behind and anticipation for what is to come.  Until then embrace Spring for all it has to offer!

Tantalize your senses with one of these…

27 Variations of Spinach Salad:

“He has risen, just as He said.”
~ Matthew 28:26 ~

Have you given much thought to yeast? Just a little bit of yeast can have a great impact on a large batch when making breads. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (2 Corinthians 5:6)  Scripture often refers to yeast as sin.  Yeast is actually a fungi. Fungi will draw its nutrition from many things including decaying organic matter.

When we think of the last supper we remember Jesus breaking unleavened bread with the disciples. Bread that hadn’t risen. Bread without yeast. This Passover meal was a reminder of when Moses freed the Jews from slavery in Egypt. They escaped so quickly they didn’t have time to let their bread rise, and therefore ate unleavened bread.  This celebration foreshadowed what was to come.

We are encouraged to eat the unleavened bread and drink the wine as a remembrance of Christ’s suffering on the cross.  Scriptures remind us to partake in the “Last Supper” as we do show the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:23). Partaking of the unleavened bread and wine is traditional for most Good Friday services.

But it doesn’t end there…
We serve a RISEN Savior!

Three days later Christ rose from the dead! Sin no longer had a death grip on mankind. Through the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God, all can partake in His eternal glory.

While unleavened bread reminds us of His suffering and death, it does not signify a Risen Savior! A Savior that overcame sin and death!

When I bake with yeast, I find a unique transformation occurs in my mixture.  I start with a bowl ¼ full of ingredients then I add the yeast. While the yeast appears to be the smallest and least significant part of my mixture it starts to have the greatest impact.  After I add yeast, things start to transform. As I wait, the dough starts to rise.  I can punch down the dough, but the dough will continue to rise. Soon what started out as a ¼ of a bowl of ingredients, rises to a full bowl of dough.

When I make dough it reminds me of my Risen Savior–the Savior who overcame sin through death on the cross. The people thought they had ridden themselves of Jesus by burying Him in the ground. They rolled the stone in front of the tomb to seal away this man who preached a gospel they did not want to hear.

Little did they know that God’s perfect plan was only beginning to unfold! Little did they know that His death was just what was required! Little did they know that three days later He would rise from the dead!

The risen Christ has spread His gospel so much further than the living Jesus did. The gospel of the Risen Christ has spanned the entire world–generation after generation.

It is very important to partake in the memory of the last supper–the feast of the unleavened bread. The memory of God’s own sinless son, beaten, bruised and crucified for our sins. Christ orders us to do this in remembrance of Him.

But each time you use yeast, take time to remember the Risen Savior! The Savior who overcame sin! The Savior who hid in the earth for just a little while – THEN ROSE – changing your life and mine for eternity!

Bonnie’s Easy Easter Cinna-Bons
Bake 350 F 20 – 25 min.

Buns
2 packs of Instant Quick Rise Yeast
½ cup warm water
6 eggs
1 ½ cups sugar
2 c milk
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter
Flour (approx 8 cups)

Topping
1/3 cup butter
½ cup sugar (white or brown)
2 T cinnamon

Scald milk and set aside to cool.  Melt butter.  In a large bowl, add melted butter, sugar, salt and beaten eggs.  Stir scalded milk, water and yeast into egg mixture.  Gradually add flour and stir until kneaded into a soft ball that no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.  Place clean tea town over bowl and let rise in a warm humid place until it doubles in size (approx. ¾ hour).  Roll dough out.

Melt butter and brush onto the dough. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon as desired.  Roll into tube shape and cut off 1 inch slices of tube to form buns.

Place buns on baking pan 1½ inches apart.  Cover with tea towel and let rise again.  Approx. ½ hour.

Bake for 20 – 25 minutes in 350 F oven

Drizzle with icing sugar (optional)