I’m not sure if I really love bagels or if I just enjoy them because they are a convenient way to get cream cheese to my mouth. It may very well be the latter because I really enjoy cream cheese! I noticed while shopping some time ago that flavored cream cheese spreads cost a lot more than regular cream cheese. I began adding various … [Read more...] about 5 Homemade Cream Cheese Spreads
Archives for 2017
5 Habits That Quell Gratitude
We talk a lot about gratitude during the month of November. Though I try to focus on gratitude all year long, I appreciate the heightened focus on gratitude around Thanksgiving. The more I think about gratitude, the more I realize that it’s not enough to engage in activities that foster gratitude. If I’m going to be grateful every day, … [Read more...] about 5 Habits That Quell Gratitude
The Great Halloween Debate: Should Christians Take Part in Halloween?
In the fall of each year, Christian families face the question of whether or not to celebrate Halloween. I know a lot of families who struggle with this question, so today we’re going to consider some different ways to answer it. Before we explore these answers, let’s review the history of Halloween. The history of Halloween has more … [Read more...] about The Great Halloween Debate: Should Christians Take Part in Halloween?
6 Ways You’re Wasting Money Without Realizing It
Many of us are careful about how we spend our money because we’re on tight budgets. We use various strategies to cut back on spending, including clipping coupons, shopping sales, and eating out infrequently. Unfortunately, there are a number of less noticeable ways that many of us waste money. Here are six of these. Wastes of money you … [Read more...] about 6 Ways You’re Wasting Money Without Realizing It
Raising Kids Who Love to Read
I’m absolutely delighted that both of my kiddos love books. They constantly bring me books to read to them. If I happen to be busy cooking or cleaning, they’ll often sit and look through books on their own. The reason this delights me so much is because reading is one of the most valuable skills a person can have; the benefits of … [Read more...] about Raising Kids Who Love to Read
27 Fall Treats That Don’t Contain Pumpkin
‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice! Some of you rejoice over this, but some of you cringe. I’m in the middle: I enjoy the taste of pumpkin on occasion, but most of the time I prefer other flavors. Treats that contain pumpkin are so popular that they often capture all of the attention. Here are some recipes that feature other delicious autumn … [Read more...] about 27 Fall Treats That Don’t Contain Pumpkin
Pizza-Themed Clothespin Number Match
My preschooler loves to count objects. She counts the carrots sticks on her plate, the socks she has pulled from the laundry basket, the books stacked on the table, etc. I’ve taken advantage of her interest by giving her several clothespin number match activities. These come in a variety of formats, but most are circular in shape. The … [Read more...] about Pizza-Themed Clothespin Number Match
Inspiration for When Your Prayers Feel Redundant
When I pray during my devotional time in the morning, I often feel that my prayers sound like a broken record. I pray the same things for the same people over and over again! I know that persisting in prayer is a good thing, but when should I keep praying and when should I “take it to the Lord in prayer” and then move on because I trust … [Read more...] about Inspiration for When Your Prayers Feel Redundant