Of The Hearth

Faith, Family, and Forging a Difference

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Archives for 2014

Tips on Tipping

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While I was traveling recently I realized that I’m confused about the finer aspects of tipping. In the U.S., it’s considered proper etiquette to tip a number of individuals, including wait staff, bellhops, and taxi drivers. Why do we tip these individuals and not others? We tip pizza delivery drivers, but not the guy who comes to install … [Read more...] about Tips on Tipping

Spring Home Maintenance

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Though our temperatures have been slow to warm up, the calendar does indicate that spring has arrived. We’re finally stowing our snow shovel and pulling out our lawnmower. This change serves as a reminder that it’s time for us to complete spring home maintenance tasks. Our home is a huge blessing and we’re committed to being faithful … [Read more...] about Spring Home Maintenance

Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette

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I love salad dressings. In fact, they’re probably my favorite part of salads! Unfortunately, many commercially available varieties are laden with corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and other ingredients that my family tries to avoid. Because of this, I’ve been trying to prepare some at home. I’ve been impressed with their flavors and how easy they … [Read more...] about Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette

Why Not to Complain About Husbands Like They Are All the Same

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I’ve long observed the tendency of married women to commiserate with one another by sitting around and complaining about their husbands as though the men all have the same weaknesses and flaws. Whether this is done in a public venue like Facebook or a private venue like a quiet conversation in the hallway at church, I’ve come to believe … [Read more...] about Why Not to Complain About Husbands Like They Are All the Same

Are Reusable Grocery Bags Really Green?

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Like many of you, I have a hodgepodge of reusable grocery sacks that I keep on hand to carry my groceries. Though eco-minded shoppers rave about the benefits of these bags, some recent reports have indicated that they may not be as “green” as they appear. The not-so-green side of reusable grocery bags The resources required to … [Read more...] about Are Reusable Grocery Bags Really Green?

Italian Sausage Bruschetta

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I love when I create a dish that looks and tastes sophisticated, but is very easy to make. Italian sausage bruschetta is definitely one of these dishes. It’s perfect to serve at parties or it can be used to make an everyday dinner feel special. Ingredients 2 mild or spicy Italian sausage links, casings removed 1 cup Pomi diced tomatoes … [Read more...] about Italian Sausage Bruschetta

How to Revitalize Your Quiet Times

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I have found that having a daily quiet time—time set aside for prayer and Bible reading—is essential if I am to faithfully live out my Christian faith. I wish I could say that I feel refreshed and inspired every time I have a quiet time. However, the truth is that sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I feel that my devotional time is redundant … [Read more...] about How to Revitalize Your Quiet Times

Spring 2014 Menu

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Our winter has been so cold and snowy that we’re incredibly eager for spring! Though we’re only getting a small taste of warmer weather, we’re ready to begin using our spring menu. As I’ve shared previously, I periodically develop monthly menus. We use each for 3 consecutive months before moving on to a new one (read more on why and how … [Read more...] about Spring 2014 Menu

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