New Testament Tuesday

On September 13th my Brother-in-law's church (He's the pastor) will be starting a reading of the New Testament for 75 days.  I am going to be joining in with them and I am looking forward to sharing this experience with other bloggers and friends.  You can find out more information at my sister-in-law's blog. 4URuthie  She has started a link-up every Tuesday (during that 75 days) that will allow you to blog about your thoughts as you are reading and then link up to share your thoughts and read everyone elses.  I think this is a fantastic idea and I am looking forward to the sharing of God's word with other believers and seekers.  I hope you will join me!

Money Envelope and Budget Verse

Like most people of my generation my household has a big thundercloud hanging over it.  That thundercloud's name is DEBT.  A plan has been made and prayed over.  Our thought patterns concerning money are being reformed and by the grace of God we WILL one day be set FREE from our debt!  Part of our plan is to budget out everything and pay for most things with cash.  I didn't have anything to put it in, the cash that is, and I have seen all the cute tutorials and things out there in blogland for the money wallets.  I really didn't feel like sewing though so I made mine out of paper and Mod Podge.  There is a sticky velcro closure under the button flap and I hotglued that button on.  I think it works pretty well and so far our system seems to be working.  Money is a touchy subject so I am not going to share all our budgeting details here.  I am new to this and would not be the person to teach anyone how to budget anyway.

The front.

The back

Our theme verse.  This really hit home because is speaks about our past and our future.  We didn't compute the cost in the beginning of our marriage and built our tower from money we really didn't have.  Now we are taking the tower of debt that we have built for ourselves and we are computing the cost for it's reconstruction into a tower of freedom and redemption.  So in the future when we go to build any tower we will know the joy that will come from computing the cost and freely building.  Also we acknowledge that trusting in God and what He gives will provide enough.  The provision provided by a credit card is imprisonment.  Truly giving our finances over to Him will be something we will strive for everyday.

Farmer Market Finds

We travelled to Roanoke today to go to their Farmer's Market and it was a big one.  There was so much to look at, eat and listen to.  I bought some beautiful broccoli, which we ate for supper.  It was yummy!  I bought a necklace and it says "Keep calm and eat a cupcake".  Always good advice.  And my favorite thing is the wooden sign.  I'm assuming you can read what it says.  Do you know where that quote is from and who says it?  I'll go ahead and tell you.  The wonderful movie Wizard of Oz and the endearing Scarecrow.  I'm not sure where to hang it yet.  Any suggestions?

Member One Boot Camp Week #5

Well, I think this week was better but not as good as I had planned.  I have really got to get it together.  I have been really lazy in the mornings and I think it is because I have been staying up too late watching episodes of Stargate Atlantis. 

The first day I exercised was Thursday.  I walked a lap around my block then headed back to my deck for some cardio and weight-lifting exercises. 

I started off doing step-ups on the stairs with an over head press.  I did 10 leading on each leg.  Then I did step-ups with a T-raise.  10 on each leg.  Then I turned to the side and did step-ups on each side with a kickout and an over head press.  10 on each side.  Then I repeated it again.  Then I did 15 lunges with a tricep extension.  Then 15 twisting lunges.  Then I went to my mat and did 10 dog kicks on each leg and then 10 dog kicks on each leg.  Then I repeated that.  Then I did 10 crunches with my legs straight up at the 12 o'clock postion.  Then I crossed bent my legs at the knees.  Crossed my ankle over my other leg and crunched toward the knee that was bent out.  I did 10 on each side.  Then I did crunches with the lower half by raising my legs straight up to the 12 o'clock position again and lifting just my hips up off the ground.  10 times.  Then I repeated everything.  Then I did a 30 second plank and stretched.

Today we walked several blocks at a Farmer's Market in Roanoke and then walked to the Transportation Museum and all around inside the museum.  I don't think it burned very many calories because it was leisurely walking. 

My goal this coming week:  Exercise at least 2 days!

Recipe of the Week - Orange Soda Cup Cakes

This is a recipe from a Betty Crocker cookbook, Decorating Cakes and Cupcakes.  I have made several of the cake recipes out of this book but this was the first time for me to make this particular one. The recipe given below is the one from the book. I think they turned out tasting good and they looked pretty too but the orange flavor wasn't as strong as I expected it to be.  It may have been because I did not have any oranges to get grated orange peel from and so I added some extra orange soda.  I am not sure.  I will definitely try it again and make sure I have the oranges next time. 

Ingredients needed:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup orange-flavored soda pop
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp grated orange peel
2 large eggs

 Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Place a paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.  Or it makes 12 regular-size and 24 mini-size cupcakes.

 In medium bowl, beat all ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally.  Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. 

 Divide batter among the muffin cups.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Cool completely, about 1 hour.

You can frost them with whatever kind of frosting you would like.  I made a Creamy Vanilla Frosting and used my Pampered Chef decorator to pipe the frosting on.  I just made a circle around the outside of the cupcake and then spiraled in toward the center.

Then I sprinkled on some orange decorating sugar.

Mmmmmm!  Really yummy!