Suzie Homemaker

I've really been feeling the urge to do more "homemaking," and by that I mean trying to be healthier, to cook more, to be a better house keeper and a better wife. In doing this, I have to decided that I am no longer going to buy bread from the grocery store. I don't like to spend too much on bread so I usually end up buying the cheap stuff that really doesn't taste very good. But a couple of weeks ago, I decided to try my hand at making some bread of my own. While I did have to pay a little more to get all of the ingredients, I also made 4 loaves of bread and have enough ingredients left over to do the same again. Did I mention it was absolutely delicious?

So, from now on, I'm going to be baking my own bread instead of buying the cheap yucky stuff. And, no, I don't own a bread maker. This is good old-fashioned, "two hands and an oven" type of bread making.

Here are the two recipes that I have made with great success:

Amish White Bread

Ingredients
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. 

Simple Whole Wheat Bread (Note: this recipe says it yields 3 loaves, but it really only yields 2 loaves)

Ingredients
3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/3 cup honey
5 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
2. Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.
3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely

Husband and Wife

Lately I've been wrecked/shocked/disgusted with the state of marriage in society. So many relationships around me are crumbling and I feel helpless looking at the pieces. The enemy is at work in our families, and I think we've forgotten a lot of what we're up against.

^"44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."-John 8:44

That's incredibly heavy. And nowhere, in my mind, is his deceit more evident than in the skewed ideas of husbands and wives and engaged couples today. Fidelity is optional, trust is nonexistent, and biblical leadership from the husband has all but disappeared.

Ladies, we are fully living up to the curse passed down from Eve. We beat down and belittle our husbands. We make sure he knows that anything he can do we can do better, and then we berate him for not stepping up and pulling his weight. Feminism has taken hold and women everywhere are neglecting those responsibilities that they were divinely created for:

^"4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. - Titus 2:4-5"

"Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands." - Ephesians 5:24

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those "women in the workplace is scandalous and sinful" kind of people. I hold a full-time job and will continue to do so even after I have children simply because finances call for it these days. But I do believe that a woman's first responsibility is to her home and her family. If she is so focused on her career that her family takes a back seat, that is sinful. Women were specifically designed to nurture - to "nest" as all those pregnancy articles call it. Our husbands weren't made that way, and that is all part of God's beautiful design.

Now, to all you  husbands (or husbands-to-be). Don't let your wife be the "ball and chain." Lead! Stand up! Assert yourself! But do this in a gentle and loving way. Men today seem to get confused on their role in the home. You either shrink back and let your wife wear the pants, or you rule with an iron fist making demands and barking orders. This is exactly the enemy's plan for you, and the curse brought down by Adam.

"Your(woman's) desire shall be for your husband,
   and he shall rule over you." Genesis 3:16b

A man's desire to be in charge is not, in and of itself, sinful. God created men to lead. They are designed to be the head of the household. Deep in their core, they are conquerors and protectors. But bringing home the bacon isn't your only job, husbands. You're called to lead in your family as well as in the work place. Your wife is called to submit to you, so be worthy or her submission. Lead her in righteousness and train your children in the wisdom of God.

^"19Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." - Colossians 3:19

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." - 1 Peter 3:7

Our Father created a beautiful union for us. One that mirrors His own love and covenant with His church. But we, with Satan's persuasion, have begun to think we know better and try to add things in or take things out. As expected, we've screwed it all up.

We've begun to look at marriage like a graduated form of dating, rather than the life long commitment that it is. We feel those "in love" feelings so we decide to get married, but make sure to sign a prenup so we can get out quickly with all of our own stuff when that feeling fades.

Divorce has become an easy out, and brides walk down the aisle almost expecting it to come.

We let our pride control our actions, and would rather hold on to bitter feelings of hurt and resentment than seek wise council that could mend our relationships.

We trust the enemy when he whispers that we should not show love to the spouse that is unloving, and that an affair is absolutely acceptable because we deserve to feel happy and loved.

We have become paranoid and refuse to trust each other with access to our finances and also to the true desires of our hearts.

A generation of resentful spouses has sprung up. From the time we're kids we're made to think that being married is miserable and you just have to suffer through or divorce.

My prayer for all of my married and soon-to-be married friends is that you strive to understand the purpose that marriage was created for. God has something truly beautiful for you if you will make the commitment to be the best for your spouse and to pray continually for them, even when they are undeserving.

 "²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. ²⁴Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.  ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.^{[a] 28}In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ³⁰because we are members of his body. ³¹ "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." ³²This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ³³However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." - Ephesians 5:22-33

Deals of the day!!

I recently began collecting coupons and being more conscious of store deals. I don't quite have it down yet, but here are some deals I got at Kroger today!

Cars 2 $5 for 5 Promo:
Eggo Waffles 24 pack: $3.99with KP card - $1promo = $2.99
Huggies Diapers: $8.99KP - $1promo - $2 coupon = $5.99 (that ain't bad for good quality diapers!)
2 boxes Special K Cereal Bars: $2.99KP each - $1promo each = $1.99 each
Cottonelle Bath Tissue 12 double rolls: $5.99KP - $1promo - $2 coupon = $2.99

Total Savings = $9.00!

40 oz Heinz Ketchup is on sale for $1.99 - $0.50 that doubles = $0.99!!

I saved a total of $27.61 on my whole order, which isn't amazing, but it's a start! And I'm not trying to stock pile diapers before I have a baby. I needed them for a baby shower gift!! =P

A note to my readers: It appears as if Kroger does not double store coupons. I had a $0.40 coupon for Kroger Cottage Cheese. Per Kroger's coupon policy, all coupons up to $0.50 will double (like the the ketchup), but the cottage cheese coupon did not double. I'm not quite bold enough to challenge the register at this point, but I will be calling Kroger to check on that.

I also have 4 coupons for 1 FREE can of Seattle's Best Coffee drinks. The coupon reads: "One coupons per purchase." I'm not sure if this means 1 per item or 1 per transaction. Kroger didn't even have these drinks so I didn't check, but I will be checking on that with Kroger and Wal-mart.

HOORAY SAVINGS!!!

2 years and counting!!

Two years ago today, I was laying in bed in anticipation of the biggest moment of my life, to date. The rehearsal was done. Everyone knew when to walk and where to stand, and the little ones were taking their jobs very seriously.

I can't say I slept well that night, knowing that it was the last night I would sleep in my purple room in my parents' home as a single girl. There were so many details going through my head. I'm only going to get one wedding day and it had to be perfect! Friends and I spent hours cutting out and assembling programs, and I don't know how many times I designed and redesigned what I wanted the ceremony site to look like.

But more than all of the details that I hoped would go just right, I just couldn't believe that I was actually about to say "I do" (or "I will" in our actual vows) and become some one's wife! Honestly, the idea of it still kind of blows my mind. I'm used to my new name, and waking up to my favorite red head each morning has become part of the routine, but the idea of being a wife still seems like something reserved for "grown ups," and I don't feel like a grown up yet =]

I did end up having the wedding of my dreams, but, better than that, I married that man of my dreams. Our life may not be idyllic at this point and our marriage is most definitely still a work in progress, but I consider myself ridiculously blessed. I'm madly in love with my wonderful husband and I know that he is completely devoted to me. I really couldn't ask for anything more wonderful. It's hard to believe it's already been 2 years!

"I, Michael, in faith, honesty and love, take you, Anna, to be my wedded wife, to share with you God's plan for our lives together united in Christ. And, with God's help to strengthen and guide me, I will be a strong spiritual leader for us in our life, as Christ leads the Church, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, in joys and in sorrows, until we are parted by death."

"I Anna, in faith, honesty and love, take you, Michael, to be my wedded husband, to share with you God’s plan for our lives together united in Christ. And, with God’s help to strengthen and guide me, I will submit myself to you as to Christ, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, in joys and in sorrows, until we are parted by death.”

Working to live up to these words every day!

Teach me patience!

I'm easily annoyed this evening. For example, I wanted to find a cute background for this lovely blog. I started looking, but didn't immediately find one I was in love with so I just picked one that was ok. When I couldn't figure out how to make it work on the first and second try I got annoyed and quit. Now I feel very annoyed and agitated. Ugh, sometimes I wish I had more patience with little things like that. There's no reason to get upset with something so silly.

I've always been good about keeping the things that bother me inside and not letting anyone know that they bothered me. But you can't bottle things up forever. Eventually they start to leak out in the little things - like trying to change your blog background. I suppose if I had blogged about the big things that have been annoying me, maybe I wouldn't lose my patience with the little things. Who knows =P

To make myself think more positively, here are some things I am thankful for:

My wonderful husband who sometimes keeps from going nuts and other time forces me to it.
My fuzzy little puppy that gets so sad when I leave him that he tears into his bag of treats and barfs them all back up on the couch.
My job that challenges me to act like Christ even when I think the person I'm talking to on the phone is a complete moron.
Health insurance that actually covers expenses and will allow me to receive the care I need without worrying about $50 billion in doctor's bills coming after me for one simple check up.
Friends in my own town that I can meet with and decompress to whenever, which, for awhile, I thought would never come.
My family, which is the best and most wonderful family in the whole wide world.

Our Father provides for his children, and I'm so thankful!

It's been quite awhile since I posted last. My life has taken quite a dramatic turn since then, for which I am incredibly thankful! God does provide!

I got the job with the Dept. of Revenue and started on  March 1st. It was definitely a bittersweet day. I spent the day before as my last with my sweet Caroline, and I still miss spending my time with her. She seems to be growing so much faster now that I don't see her every day!

There was absolutely nothing bitter about leaving Gatti's. I gave them one last week after finding out about the new job and then I was gone! And I feel so incredibly free with out the idea of possibly having to work during special occassions or never having an evening to be home.

My entire attitude about life seems to have changed recently. I feel contented and happy for the first time in many many months and I almost don't know what to do with that kind of feeling. Our house is getting cleaner and I'm able to cook for my family again. I've cut back on the things I volunteer for, so that I can take advantage of the time I'm able to be at home and I'm making my home and family and priority in my life, finally. It's been wonderful, and I'm looking forward to things getting even better!!

He will provide

Ever since I graduated from college a year and a half ago, I have been asking God why life has to be so difficult, why I have to work at a job I hate and why my family has to suffer from my lack of income. Why did I put so much effort into being successful in college if I was just going to end up working with people who barely finished high school.

But God has a reason behind everything. I am not in this position to be punished, but to be humbled. Those same people that I would have thought less of, had I simply gone in to eat at Gatti's, have become my friends. I have experienced first hand the hurt that customers' preconceptions can cause. And I have learned to appreciate even more, my drive to do better for myself.

In early December I applied for a postion with KY Dept. of Revenue. Not thinking much of it, I mentioned it to a fellow Gatti's employee who works for Revenue also. It just so happened that she knew the hiring contact and was able to put in a good word for me. She was told I would be getting an interview and yesterday I confirmed my interview time for this coming Monday at 11am. Obviously, I am not guaranteed a job, but it's difficult enough just to get an interview with the State.

Does God put us in places for a reason? I believe He does. And I believe that He will always provide for me.