For Sadia - Me with Mukhtar Mai

Several girlfriends joined me to hear Mukhtar Mai speak. Amazing! She is one Pakistani woman making a difference.

Quoted from brochure: Five years ago Mukhtar Mai, then an illiterate woman from rural Pakistan, was gang-raped as punishment for her brother's alleged affair with a woman of a higher class. Mukhtar refused to commit suicide, an "honor killing" that is customary in many parts of the world, and in an unprecedented act of courage she sued her attackers and won an $8000 settlement. She used the award to found schools in her village and to fund Mukhtar Mai Women Welfare Organization, dedicated to helping rape survivors in need of assistance and safe haven. Today, Mukhtar inspires people around the world. In 2004 TIME magazine listed her as one of the world's most influential people.

Sadia - I gave her your message. Salām.

For Sadia - Me with Mukhtar Mai

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/for-sadia-me-with-mukhtar-mai.html

2 of the 5 precious ones. . .

2 of the 5 precious ones. . .

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/2-of-5-precious-ones.html

People I love and serve along side

These people are precious servants who seek to follow the King of the Kingdom. This was a pastor's Christmas Party held. Michael and I are the ones in the back :-)

People I love and serve along side

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/people-i-love-and-serve-along-side.html

Make a Princess Manners Book for Your Little Girl

I'm into being creative and frugal! Candace reminded me of this little book I'd made for Jillian back in 2004. It's called Princess Jillian's Book of Manners - a sweet and sour story. My other blog, has the post on the how to make your little book.

Make a Princess Manners Book for Your Little Girl

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/make-princess-manners-book-for-your.html

Aprons, Aprons and Aprons

My friend Annie has a wonderful blog and I found out, she's an apron wearer. I think I'll start listing all the blogs of apron wearing women. If you're one...will you send me your blog link? And, if you have a picture of yourself IN your apron...send it to me...I want to post it and link back to you.....Thanks!

My new friend, Summer at Home, in Australia sent me her photos and her post on her apron story. Wow, her nana had her aprons and wanted to pass them on. Now, that's sweet.

Here's my friend, Christy
at our simple lives. I love the apron!

Aprons, Aprons and Aprons

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/aprons-aprons-and-aprons.html

Moms and Aprons - They go together

I'm not sure yet, how this relates to creating sanctuary or making a haven, but, it does have to do with Moms and Aprons.

I can remember my mom and my grandma always having an apron on. Crystal told us that she's a firm believer in aprons like the HillBilly Housewife, and that the Marie-Madeline studio is going to give one of their beautiful aprons away on her blog.

Then, my mom sends me this ever so sweet picture of her in her kitchen with HER apron on. My mom sent me her Potato Soup recipe.

And, another apron tidbit is that Susannah Wesley, mother of John and Charles had a unique way of praying - she'd put her apron over her head so she could have the "quiet time" she was looking for.

What's up with the apron thing? Then . . . my daughter Candace asks ME if I would make matching aprons for her and Ivana . . . I wonder what God's trying to teach me about the apron?

Who else wears aprons? I'd love to see some pictures of your aprons. . . .

Moms and Aprons - They go together

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/moms-and-aprons-they-go-together.html

Creating Sanctuary – Step 6 Setting Priorities

I’ve been enjoying pondering and writing about how a woman creates sanctuary or a haven in the home, mainly because it’s causing me to continually evaluate what I do, ask myself why I do it and then determine if something in my day or feminine soul needs to shift. I ask if I'm on-purpose for today, for the tomorrow.

A shift happened yesterday. Zane, my 5 year old grandson, saw that I’d let Ivana take one picture with my digital and of course, he wanted to too.

His first picture was of me making chicken dinner. His comment was just too sweet, "Nana, this is so awesome, you look so cute." Of course, after hearing that I looked so cute, I thought he could snap a few more…and thus his foto op session began and now Zane's World Blog.

I have on file over 120+ pictures and on file in my mind is the memory of his little gleeful comments of his new found pride in picture taking.

The shift was in my soul. As I uploaded Zane’s pictures my world changed. I saw dirt from a different perspective.

I, like just about every other mom or nana, can easily consume my world with the "doing", running around, being busy, all the people-pleasing kinds of things and then miss the moment – that God really has for me – the being.

Watching Zane enjoy the things and capture what I tend to miss or think I need to "clean up" slowed me down (again) only to remind me of what’s really a priority. . . . people . . . faces. . . little faces, big faces and His face. Watching Zane only affirmed to me that the number one priority in creating sanctuary is people. Crystal gave her sweet example about that this morning.

Did I accomplish all on my "to do " list? Nope. Does it matter? Nope. Will I get to check those undone things off? Eventually.

This morning, I had a sweet God connection seeing what He wanted to talk to me about from Proverbs 6. I had breakfast with my One-Flesh partner, we kissed and reminded each other of what this life is all about. I spoke to my dear friend Linda. Bed is made and kitchen sink is full of morning dishes, dinner for tonight is left over Potato Soup, and now I'm off to see Zane and Ivana - and Santa.

And, later, I'll come back home and take a look at what needs cleaning in my bathroom. . . . of which I'll add my own foto op.

Creating Sanctuary – Step 6 Setting Priorities

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/creating-sanctuary-step-6.html

Zane's World - A View from a Child's Eye's

I have had the privilege of viewing the world through a child's eyes today. This child, happens to be my red-haired grandson who just had his 5Th birthday. It's been an amazing day - for me.

As you view his world - you might discover things from a new vantage point.

Never before have I thought that dirt looked so cool. I can't wait to give him my camera again.

View 1

View 2

View 3

View 4

View 5

View 6

View 7

Zane's World - A View from a Child's Eye's

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/zanes-world-view-from-childs-eyes.html

View from a Child's Eye's - Part 6

View from a Child's Eye's - Part 6

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/view-from-childs-eyes-part-6.html

View from a Child's World - Zane Part 5

View from a Child's World - Zane Part 5

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/view-from-childs-world-zane-part-5.html

View from a child's world - Zane's Part 4

Zanes eye, Ivana's eye and Ivana's doll's eye.

View from a child's world - Zane's Part 4

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/view-from-childs-world-zanes-part-4.html

View from a child's world - Zane's Part 3

View from a child's world - Zane's Part 3

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/view-from-childs-world-zanes-part-3.html

View from a child's world - Zane's Part 2

View from a child's world - Zane's Part 2

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/view-from-childs-world-zanes-part-2.html

View from a child's eyes (Zane's) - Part 1

View from a child's eyes (Zane's) - Part 1

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/view-from-childs-eyes-zanes-part-1.html

What's for dinner at our home?

Dinner. I love thinking about dinner. I love to make dinner.

Lately, I've been on a soup craze. Last night, I tried and we devoured my Mom's Potato Soup. I added 4 extra (small ones) potatoes and tons of dill. It was sooooooo good. Do try it.

One of the ways to cut down on the food budget is to limit meat intake to just a few times a week. I've been doing that - getting creative with the soup. Tonight, I'm baking chicken - the same way I always bake it.


In case you're wondering who my foto op taker was - it was Zane. I gave him my digital and I just figured out this 5 year old is pretty good with the click. He LOVES taking pictures....these are his.

What's for dinner at our home?

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/whats-for-dinner-at-our-home.html

The Heart of Creating Sanctuary

The Heart of Creating Sanctuary

Creating sanctuary is so much about the internal workings of a woman's feminine soul. It doesn't start with cleaning, although it involves that.

Heart and home can't help but be entwined.

If I am not secure in who He is and if I don't know who I am in light of who He is, I'll not be a woman at peace.

May peace dwell in my heart richly . . . .
Peace won't dwell in my heart if I'm confused about Who He is.

I believe what is absolutely core to a woman (young or older) creating sanctuary is that she be a woman at peace, dwelling in peace and walking in peace.

Peace comes and fills us when we follow the Prince of Peace. How can we follow One we don't know? How can we trust One we don't know.

How does a woman begin?
Connect with God and receive a simple truth to anchor yourself for the day. Just one truth.

Meditate on that truth - as you go about your day:
*making your bed,
*planning for the next meal,
*folding your laundry,
*wiping the nose (for the umpteenth time) of your little one,
*cleaning up the forth spill (in the last fifteen minutes),
*paying the bills (and what needs to be paid is more than what is in the check book),
*talking to your elderly parent who is needing care that you don't think you can give,
*thinking about your grandchild who is experiencing rejection on the play ground,
*thinking about how tired you are and that your husband needs you - tonight,
*feelings of guilt arise because other women seem to get it all done and you struggle with getting just one thing done,
* struggling because your weight and lack of energy is still an issue in your life,
*feeling afraid because your husband seems disconnected from you and you wonder if he's pulling away because of???
* feeling overwhelmed because of the stress of the holidays and ???
*____________________________(you fill in the blank)


My one truth for today is from Psalm 32:7.

I love the song that my husband wrote about that passage.

If you are one, feeling overwhelmed with creating sanctuary and just doing life in general, stop....take a pause in your day....and listen here. Selah's version of You are My Hiding Place will refresh you.

I'll write more later on today....right now...it's a Grand Kiddo Day....

The Heart of Creating Sanctuary

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/heart-of-creating-sanctuary.html

This can say, "You're so special."

I know, I know, moms are fortunate to just get a good meal on the table, let alone add some "beauty touches." But, as much as you can, make your table special, because when you do, it has a way of communicating, "you're special." These are some of my different table settings (a few years ago).

This can say, "You're so special."

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/this-can-say-youre-so-special.html

What's for dinner tonight? Soup from my mom's kitchen

Moms are great resources :-). My mom, especially is and I'm so thankful that I still have both of my parents around.

Mom's an amazing cook. I remember, at one time, she pursued "gourmet" cooking (and my dad did too). It was fabulous to be on the receiving end.

From time to time, my own daughters call for a "memory" food recipe and I find myself, from time to time doing the same. I'll call mom and ask for a recipe. The one I asked for last week was for her Potato Soup.

It's what I'm serving for dinner tonight. Since my mom has so many wonderful "memory food" recipes, I decided to start a post with her recipes called From My Mom's Kitchen. What will be good about these recipes? My mom is from Lancaster, Penn and cooks with that Pennsylvania Dutch touch.

Mom grew up in Lancaster and I spent half of my growing up years there. I can still remember "cup cheese" and "shoo fly pie" (of which I have a fantastic recipe for) and Lebanon baloney...

Last week my mom sent me an email: I love fresh dill, have always used it in sour cream cucumbers, and mashed potatoes at times, It has a flavor of it own. I have always added onions and celery to most everything from salads to soups. Then the chicken broth made sense as I am using it also in many things like when I make the chicken and dumplings. Some people use flour for a thickener...........no way have I ever, Corn Starch is the only way as it will never lump for you. It also enhances a much better gravy, smooth and hum good. Enjoy. So it could be called a little bit of this and that. let me know................. later, mom


From My Mom's Kitchen - Mom's Potato Soup
I use about 4 to 5 potatoes, peeled & cubed,
chopped onion, & celery, (the how much is up to you)
salt, pepper, fresh dill. (yeah, I have fresh dill in my garden!!!!!)
Cover with two cans of chicken broth. (I do have homemade stock in the freezer, but for this I'll use some TJ's organic broth)
Add 1 stick of butter and one cup of sour cream. (oh, my is this going to be rich!!!!)
Thicken soup with corn starch mixed with 1/2 cup of milk.
Heat and do not boil. DELICIOUS!

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If you try this, will you post a comment please? Thanks.

What's for dinner tonight? Soup from my mom's kitchen

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/whats-for-dinner-tonight-soup-from-my.html