GOD visited my street.

I almost missed a moment being too busy when my hubs said, "Honey, you 've got to come check out this sunset." I'm so glad I went to see what he was seeing. Ahh, a beauty pause moment share.

GOD visited my street.

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/09/god-visited-my-street.html

i'm still here

In case you're wondering where I've been, I've been kinda wondering that too! No, actually, Michael and I have been hostessing Michael's youngest brother, his wife and their two little munchkins for the past week or so. Griffin and Breana have spent the last week with us (off and on) as they are making a move to the Phoenix Valley. Super Cool.

Wednesday was my Nana Day with Zane and Ivana (yes, I do have other days I spend with them). We spend a good part of the day at the neighborhood pool. Too cute watching the grandkiddos with swim lessons.

Just to keep your interest up - I have a few writing projects on the cooker. Which one do you think I should post first?

1. Finding Power, Productivity and Joy - when a wife/mom Creates Sanctuary and implements a daily homefront routine: how to be 'on-purpose' for your day.

2. Why I Detest e-Harmony and the likes of these online dating traps. (hmmm...this one should be interesting and definitely raise some hair.)

3. How to Keep Your Marriage Alive - My 5 Top Secrets

4. Bless, Don't Battle Your Husband's Vision (I imagine there are some wives out there just waiting to read this one.)

i'm still here

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/06/im-still-here.html

Need Help - Want "Green" Cleaner for Hard Wood Floors

Michael and I did this great remodel a year ago and I've used the standard toxic cleaner on our new hard wood floors. I've been getting organized in the kitchen, with my linens and different closets. Because my philosophy is The Simple Home (new wordpress blog coming) I've also been creating sanctuary and going green and I'd HEART some advice on going green with cleaning the hard wood floors.

Thanks for sharing what works for you!

Need Help - Want "Green" Cleaner for Hard Wood Floors

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/need-help-want-green-cleaner-for-hard.html

Random Ramblings

Hi. How are you? Fine myself. Thank you.

Actually, I'm getting over the "stuff" I got in San Sebastian. I heard that half the town was out from the "stuff."

I hate the "stuff" because I don't like feeling puey and I hate having to rest, go slower and . . . well, you know.

I don't particularly like other kinds of "stuff" do you?

"Stuff" has a way of getting to the heart of the matter, doesn't it?

"Stuff" can come in all sorts of forms. Sickness stuff, debt stuff, relationship stuff, what to make for dinner stuff, the brakes aren't working stuff, the computer has a virus stuff and on and on - all kinds of life "stuff."

"Stuff" isn't really about "stuff" - is it? The issue - isn't really ever the issue - well, mostly.

"Stuff" and hearts go together. "Stuff" reveals heart stuff. "Stuff" reveals who my god/God is.

I guess the real question is: am I chained to "stuff" or anchored to Him and His otherness?

Do you get this "stuff?"

Random Ramblings

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/02/random-ramblings.html

Passionate about homemaking and high cholesterol

My friend, Lindsay, is an amazing young mom. I learn from her and her heart for the home and her pursuit of health, organic, being frugal, organization and loving her baby and husband.

I just took a quick visit and she's got a good article on the value of apple cider vinegar. It's worthy to read. It's interesting that today, I'd just gone to the Sprouts to talk to a clerk about my cholesterol - about six months ago, it was on the "high" end.

Don't stop at this post on the importance of vinegar, but go through her whole site, you'll learn things you didn't know!

Passionate about homemaking and high cholesterol

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/passionate-about-homemaking-and-high.html

Turkey Bones are Simmering

We just about devoured a 24 pound turkey yesterday as 17 wonderful people

graced our table(s) for Thanksgiving. Awesome!

I've got the bones from our turkey on the stove....simmering, simmering, simmering and I'll making my Turkey Soup from the stock.

Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions stresses the importance of simmering the bones anywhere between 6 to 24 hours.

If you need other ideas, check out Frugal Hacks and the post entitled Leftover Turkey Recipes. Great ideas!

Turkey Bones are Simmering

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-bones-are-simmering.html

I just made the BEST EVER Brownies

I just got back this afternoon from Tucson. I had a speaking engagement at the E-Free Church on Swan Road. The last bit of encouragement I gave these precious women was was "go home and bake cookies." It DOES have a "special" meaning.

Like every good teacher, you do what you tell the ones you teach, I didn't "bake cookies" but I did pull out Martha Stewart's Favorite Comfort Food Cookbook, turned to the chocolate section and proceeded to make the BEST Brownies ever. So, wonderful that they smell in the oven drew my darling husband into the kitchen.

For all your brownie lovers - here's the recipe. So...go "bake brownies."
Ingredients:
12 T. 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, cut in pieces
8 oz of best quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate ( all I had was chocolate chips and it worked)
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 T. pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup sifted all purpose flour
1/2 t salt

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with butter
2. In the top of a double boiler or n a heat - proof bowl over simmering water, melt the butter and chocolate until smooth; stir occasionally. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature.
3. In a large mixing bow, combine the eggs, granulated and brown sugars, and vanilla, and beat well with a wire whisk. In a separate bowl, combine the sifted flour and salt. Add the cooled chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and, using a wooden spoon, stir until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, and beat until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake until a tester inserted into the center of the brownie comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Do not over bake. Let stand on a rack in the pan until cool.
5. Enjoy.

The bottom picture show what the condition of my brownies looked like after less than 3 minutes out of the oven.

I just made the BEST EVER Brownies

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-just-made-best-ever-brownies.html

More remodeling fun

the last picture is a "before" - and now see here.

More remodeling fun

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/10/more-remodeling-fun.html

We survived a remodel

Only a few friends dared "visit" during the days/months of our remodel this past January. I thought it'd be fun to see the changes on our homefront and hopefully it might be encouraging to anyone in the midst...that...eventually...it will all end.

We survived a remodel

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/10/we-survived-remodel.html