Orange Carrot Nose

 
Walking along the next block I noticed a stately snowman.
By melting sun, he had lost his carrot nose.
His beady black coal eyes stared at me.
...Walked on their lawn to put his carrot nose in place.
...Looked around to see if anyone was looking.
Time stood still and I was 10.

Where Does Milk Come From?

"Does Milk Come From the Guy's Arm in the Dairy Section at the Grocers who Puts out the Milk Cartons?" God Made a Farmer Commercial made a huge splash as a Super Bowl Commercial, but how many of us really know a farmer?  And, what about the farmer's wife?   Listen online or podcast, Thursday, February 21, on This is the Day! Show with Host Nancy Turner, Co-host Diana Berryman, and Producer Elizabeth Henderson, talking with our lifelong friends Wendell and Diane Loew, dairy farmers from western Michigan.  Wendell and Diane will be sharing about "God Made a Farmer" and Diane's adaptation of God Made a Farmer called God Created a Farm Wife.  Read Diane adaption on her website. Official Ram Trucks Super Bowl Commercial "God Made a Farmer" 24 Hours on the Farm by Diane Reed Loew Diane's gift book, the perfect book to give and keep, 101 Ways to Celebrate the Ordinary by Diane Reed Loew, available on her website, A Farm Wife 101 Ways to Celebrate the Ordinary is a super gift for every woman on your spring gift list. "I love this book!  A great way to cheer yourself or someone else up.  101 Ways to Celebrate the Ordinary by Diane Reed Loew  Buy two and you will feel better by morning." - Cheryl Diane the unique ability to see one of God's biggest blessings. The Ordinary.  Day by day the Ordinary passes without a glance from us. This book will help you unlock the treasures of the Ordinary in your life. Buy here now Wendell and Diane Loew  Wendell Loew is a third generation farmer from Allegan County. After he attended high school, Wendell pursued engineering but quickly realized he was called to farm and returned home to work with his father and brother. Since then, the farm has tripled in size. Wendell now farms with three of his four sons. He divides his time managing the farm and staying current with dairy issues and succession planning. At the young age of 18, Diane Loew graduated high school and walked down the church marriage aisle and onto a farm. After successfully raising four sons and being married to the same wonderful farmer for over 41 years, Diane felt a duty to give back to motherhood and life in general through writing. She enjoys living on a dairy farm with 1500 BEBs (brown eyed bossies) who provide great fodder for ramblings. Today, her life is full of cooking, baking, friends, and being Grama to 8 of the best wigglies. She keeps busy working part-time at her church bookstore, co-hosting and creating a weekly radio program called Random Ramblings on a local radio station, and being the glorified "go-fer" for the farm. She runs the farm office while occasionally jumping on a tractor when needed. There is a standing invitation to everyone she meets. If you're ever in West Michigan, stop by and pull a chair up to the table. Theres always room for one more. To learn more about the Loew's and life on a farm, visit this website. Listen to Wendell and Diane's interview.

Momlaughs Radio Show for Week of February 20

Link to the Podcast

1. I write for 15 online magazines, one of them is Familiesonlinemagazine.com I am convinced married men dress better because wives magically make ugly sweaters disappear. As a wife, how do you know it's time to hide something on the bottom of the garbage bag... Dad Knows it's Time to Throw His Favorite Sweater Away, When… 1. It says, "I like Ike…Vote for Ike in '52" 2. Only Carbon 14 dating can tell you exactly how old it is. 3. The man with the Salvation Army kettle sees you in "that" sweater and offers you his change. Read the Other Seven Click here

2. Cheryl's cookbook perfect for ensuring a hot homemade dinner on the table every evening.
Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow-Cookers to Make Easy and Tasty Meals by Cheryl Moeller My book finally answers the proverbial question, “What’s for Dinner?”

It’s not just a cookbook; it’s a whole new attitude and method of planning meals. Tired of crockpot meals being reduced to a soup or stew? The book is going to have you thinking differently about crockpots!

You will use two crockpots to easily cook a healthy, homemade dinner. It helps you get the whole dinner done, not just part of it. This great new idea works well for any size of family. My Crockpot Duets features beautiful recipes taste-tested at my table by her family of nine!

Crockpot #1 Cheryl's Best Apple Cider
Ingredients: 1 gallon apple juice 1 cinnamon stick 2 apples, washed and cored 2 individual herbal apple tea bags
Preparation: Add all ingredients to crockpot, and stir. Cover, and cook on low for 8-10 hours

Crockpot #2 Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients: 2 lbs. fresh chicken breasts, boneless and skinless 1 green pepper, chopped 2 stalks fresh celery, chopped 1 - 12 oz. can low-fat chicken broth 3 cups of your favorite barbeque sauce
Preparation: Add chopped green pepper, chopped celery, chicken breasts, and chicken broth to crockpot. Cover, and cook on low for 6 hours. Flake and break up chicken with a fork. Pour the barbeque sauce on the chicken, and mix well. Cover, and cook for an additional 2 hours. Stir well
before serving. 
 

3. Why Don't We Have Nice Things? One of our sons (unmentioned name) asked the other day, "Why don't you have nice things in the living room from your wedding... designer mirrors... classical framed artwork... collectables from birthdays and anniversaries that you have added to through the years like NORMAL people?"

My answer, "Because our boys were normal boys. My Three Sons... If it wasn't ninja kicks, inside football tackles, and out-of-control superballs, then it was 'Jack jumped over the candlesticks,' 'boys that climbed the Christmas tree to the top,' and 'sledding, yes on sleds, down the stairs." FYI It was not our three daughters who broke everything worth displaying. :)

But, we do have real treasures of pottery that the kids created, a self portrait clay head piece of Brent's, lots of child-drawn artwork, children's portraits through the years, RJ's first grade hat on the coat hooks, and children's plaster handprints. I would rather go to my children's basketball games than to the Bulls, unless of course the kids want to go to the Bulls. :) Why don't we have nice things?

Well, for me people (especially my kids) are and were more important than things.

2 Co 1:12 "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world."

4. Do you feel like you are barely staying afloat in the U.S.S. Misery? Get a Moeller book! Click here One-Minute Devotions for Couples by Bob and Cheryl Moeller - Brand New on Kindle and Paperback Click here Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle  Click here



Websites: For Keeps Ministries
Cheryl's Momlaughs Blog
Cheryl's Writing Mentor Blog

Link to Radio Broadcast or Podcast

Why Don't We Have Nice Things?

One of our sons (unmentioned name) asked the other day, "Why don't you have nice things in the living room from your wedding... designer mirrors... classical framed artwork... collectables from birthdays and anniversaries that you have added to through the years like NORMAL people?" My answer, "Because our boys were normal boys. My Three Sons... If it wasn't ninja kicks, inside football tackles, and out-of-control superballs, then it was 'Jack jumped over the candlesticks,' 'boys that climbed the Christmas tree to the top,' and 'sledding, yes on sleds, down the stairs." FYI It was not our three daughters who broke everything worth displaying. :) But, we do have real treasures of pottery that the kids created, a self portrait clay head piece of Brent's, lots of child-drawn artwork, children's portraits through the years, RJ's first grade hat on the coat hooks, and children's plaster handprints. I would rather go to my children's basketball games than to the Bulls, unless of course the kids want to go to the Bulls. :)

Spirit Week

Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts! At this point it's e-reader time!

Kindle version on sale this week for $2.99 on all e-readers until February 18

Grab several for your friends for Valentine's Day!

 Rising high on Kindle and other e-reader sites - best selling in many categories. 

Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow Cookers for Tasty and Easy Dinners   by Cheryl Moeller

 

Did you know?

Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow Cookers for Tasty and Easy Dinners

 is Cheryl's second cookbook?  1st Cookbook is Aunt Sarah's Alaskan Cookbook, which is FREE this week on Kindle, under February 17.

Also, for Valentine's Day... Keep Courting: 100 Ways to Keep Courting After Marriage is free on FREE Kindle until February 16.

 

Venue: Maranatha Conference Center, Muskegon, MI - Register with: Whitehall Covenant Church, Whitehall, MI, Saturday, March 16

Crockpot Cookbook Surging in Sales and On Sale, too!

Kindle version on sale this week for $2.99 on all e-readers until February 18

Grab several for your friends for Valentine's Day!

Rising high on Kindle and other e-reader sites - best selling in many categories. 

Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow Cookers for Tasty and Easy Dinners   by Cheryl Moeller

Momlaughs Radio Show for Week of February 11

Link to the Podcast

 

1.  Toddler Texting on Valentine's Day with Our Grandson Across the Pond

 

To aid you in your journey toward cyber-nurture here's a handy and up-to-date dictionary of common Preschool Text Messages and Answers:
SGHWYCT = Show Grandma how well you can talk
G3GO3 = Gaa, Gaa, Gaa, Goo, Goo, Goo

TYN = Take Your Nap
IYD = In your dreams

EYB = Eat Your Broccoli
FVC = Favorite Cereal

NMSOCP = Need more sugar on Cocoa Puffs

DC = Diaper Change?
2 Late = No translation necessary.

*VIN4C = Starving for Cookies

OHFFS = Only Healthy Food for Snacks
PMSOHH = Put More Syrup on Ho-Ho's

IJMYT = I just made you tofu
RUK? = Are you kidding?

SC$SH = Success with Shopping (found Pampers 50% off)

SB? = Seatbelt On?

PT = Potty Training
2 Late

SC = Drink Your Sippy Cup
JC2LCC = Just Chugged 2 Liter Coca-Cola

TMM = Text Message Me Urgent Please
CTHDFC = Can't Talk, Helping Dad Find Comma

It should be noted that a recent study found that irritated tots were turning off their new technology gadgets at an alarming rate and climbing into their parent's laps to demand stories and facetime instead.

2.  Valentine's Day Gifts

Frugal gifts some homemade click here

3.  Cheryl's cookbook perfect for ensuring a hot homemade dinner on the table every evening.

Creative Slow-Cooker Meals    Sale on Kindle Only $2.99 on sale during Valentine's Week.


Cheryl's Meatloaf

Ingredients:

2 lbs. fresh ground turkey
3 large fresh egg whites, beaten
2/3 cup skim milk
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
Salt and pepper to taste
Nonstick spray

Preparation:

1.  Spray crockpot with nonstick spray.
2.  In separate bowl, beat egg whites.
3.  Mix egg whites with the remaining ingredients,
except ketchup.
3.  Form into loaf, and place in the crockpot.
4.  Cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
5.  Brush meatloaf with ketchup for the last hour of cooking.


Grand Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

8 large fresh Idaho potatoes
1 cup olive oil
4 Tbsps. kosher salt
Aluminum foil for wrapping potatoes

Preparation:

1.  Rub olive oil and kosher salt over each
potato, and wrap in aluminum foil.
2.  Stick each potato several times with a fork.
3.  Fill dry crockpot with the wrapped potatoes.
4.  Cover, and cook on low for 4-6 hours
(until potatoes are tender).




4.  Keep Courting
Free this week on Kindle - Will be free February 12- 16 on Kindle.com   

After February 16, only $0.99 cents on Kindle after the freebie.

Do you feel like you are barely staying afloat in the U.S.S. Misery?

FREE Kindle download this week Keep Courting:  100 Ways to Keep Courting After Marriage by Bob and Cheryl Moeller

Click Here

A gift book! 50 ways to keep courting your husband and 50 ways to keep courting your wife.

Fifty Ways for Women to Keep Courting Their Husbands,
After Marriage:
- Attend an outdoor sporting exhibition show and look through the brochures, with him.
- Write a list of the "Things I Admire Most About My Husband" and tape it to his closet door.

Fifty Ways for Men to Keep Courting Their Wives,
After Marriage:
- Ask her to tell you two things that would make you an easier husband to live with (then work on them).
- Add "I love you" to her calendar on the day of your anniversary, every month. So, if you were married on June 16 (like the Moellers), write" I love you" on the 16th of every month, on her calendar. She'll remember every month how grateful you are to have her, as your wife.

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b

To Court Your Husband:

3. Smile throughout the day. It could be contagious!

4. Clean the garage together for an entire morning (with his favorite snacks).

5. Go to his favorite burger place, order a big item, so you can split the sandwich.

6. Order in pizza, sit next to him on the couch, and watch the game.


To Court Your Wife

“…to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.” Ephesians 5:26

56. Sit with your arm around her at church.

57. Kiss her affectionately before you leave in the morning.

58. Go out for dinner and let your knees touch under the table.

59. Put your arm around her waist while you’re standing in a group and talking to friends.

___________________________________________________________________________

5.  Feast communion - Andrew

God Calls Us to Feast

When our son, Andrew, was three years old, he attended an evening service that included communion, with us.  As the ushers passed the plate of cracker wafers down our row, Andrew, who hadn't eaten supper yet and thought this was snack time, grabbed a big handful of crackers and shoved them all into his mouth.  We were horrified, the ushers were incensed, and Andrew was satisfied.  Perhaps in his innocence Andrew was closer than any of us in his understanding of the Lord's Table as it was intended to be a feast we are given to enjoy.  And, feast he did (at least it was a feast for a three-year-old.)

1 Corinthians 11:23-26  English Standard Version (ESV)

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for^[a] you. Do this in remembrance of me.”^{[b] 25} In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Other books:

One-Minute Devotions for Couples        Brand New on Kindle and Paperback

 Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle    Kindle    Paperback


Websites: 

For Keeps Ministries
Cheryl's Momlaughs Blog
Cheryl's Writing Mentor Blog


Link to the Podcast or listen right now

At least our grandson can Text us now. :)

To aid you in your journey toward cyber-nurture here's a handy and up-to-date dictionary of common Preschool Text Messages and Answers:
SGHWYCT = Show Grandma how well you can talk
G3GO3 = Gaa, Gaa, Gaa, Goo, Goo, Goo

TYN = Take Your Nap
IYD = In your dreams

EYB = Eat Your Broccoli
FVC = Favorite Cereal

NMSOCP = Need more sugar on Cocoa Puffs

DC = Diaper Change?
2 Late = No translation necessary.

*VIN4C = Starving for Cookies

OHFFS = Only Healthy Food for Snacks
PMSOHH = Put More Syrup on Ho-Ho's

IJMYT = I just made you tofu
RUK? = Are you kidding?

SC$SH = Success with Shopping (found Pampers 50% off)

SB? = Seatbelt On?

PT = Potty Training
2 Late

SC = Drink Your Sippy Cup
JC2LCC = Just Chugged 2 Liter Coca-Cola

TMM = Text Message Me Urgent Please
CTHDFC = Can't Talk, Helping Dad Find Comma

It should be noted that a recent study found that irritated tots were turning off their new technology gadgets at an alarming rate and climbing into their parent's laps to demand stories and facetime instead.

by Cheryl Moeller Momlaughs

Perfect Valentine's Day Gift for Every Couple on Your List

One-Minute Devotions for Couples by Bob and Cheryl Moeller

One-Minute Devotions for Couples by Bob and Cheryl Moeller
The most important step a couple can take to build a strong, loving, and enduring marriage is to invite Jesus Christ into their relationship each day. This insightful devotional for couples is organized around 250 one-minute readings that include a probing question, an encouraging story or practical advice, and an appropriate Scripture verse. Click here to buy

Bob and Cheryl Moeller, cofounders of For Better For Worse For Keeps Ministries, have successfully used this simple one-minute format on radio and television for decades. Filled with encouragement, inspiration, and wise counsel, their relationship-nurturing devotional will give busy couples quick opportunities to draw near to God--and to each other. Click here