tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50627762725128582942024-02-20T22:28:50.122-06:00Making Home WorkNaomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-1136757442363329902012-11-26T00:00:00.000-06:002012-11-26T00:00:03.095-06:00Saying Goodbye<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTXfaCFMFv45JMQxqfgYJmVqH_D1xKjO-fulRvRRWadHctBNmDFS9LG9N2QCYPaU8lCC4ZSZryYs8zytbqBPBT9wEw0-iD66Gevr0OvLFyfN1vm9scwqrvRFFQttl47rNxi9prJ7BW4o/s1600/file000861706740.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTXfaCFMFv45JMQxqfgYJmVqH_D1xKjO-fulRvRRWadHctBNmDFS9LG9N2QCYPaU8lCC4ZSZryYs8zytbqBPBT9wEw0-iD66Gevr0OvLFyfN1vm9scwqrvRFFQttl47rNxi9prJ7BW4o/s320/file000861706740.jpg" width="320" /></a>It is with a sad heart that I've decided it's time for me (and all of you), to say "goodbye" to Making Home Work. I've been blogging here for nearly two years, and while I started out with a wealth of family and home information to expound upon, I've found that I've now shared the majority of it.<br />
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I know time is valuable, both yours and mine. And rather than having me struggle to come up with topics and then asking you to read less than stellar blog posts, I'm going to stop Making Home Work. I'll still keep the old blog posts up for the time being, and I do enjoy posting new information about my novels. Schooling the Cowboy is coming out next winter, and I'm sure I'll have pictures, stories, and snippets to share with all of you. So I might well post new information when that time comes. I'm continuing to blog both at <a href="http://www.regencyreflections.com/" target="_blank">Regency Reflections</a> and <a href="http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Craftie Ladies of Romance</a>, if you want to come find me in either of those places. But for now, I'm saying goodbye to this blog. <br />
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I'll keep my website updated with information about me and my writing: <a href="http://www.naomirawlings.com/" target="_blank">www.naomirawlings.com</a><br />
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And I'll post news to my Author Facebook Page as well: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/author.naomirawlings" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/author.naomirawlings</a><br />
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If you want to learn more about our guest contributor, Sarah Hammacker, you can reach her and read her excellent parenting blog at <a href="http://www.sarahhamaker.com/" target="_blank">www.sarahhamaker.com</a><br />
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Goodby to all of you, and thank you for making my blogging experience both fun and memorable!Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-90858148539108988892012-11-19T00:00:00.000-06:002012-11-19T00:00:10.137-06:00Old Family Recipe Cookbook And Thanksgiving Wishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_TQL51vVCpKHclcl0tK5gTcJ9Cs9beo16RBEZfZ8QEVVBD8CGZSmZugIRRnNcuw63as4_5z8od4OoWA2djPTnxUQxb8HsTTTtI43fCK1DaPp0di-5IuA7HfJ6fLlF5QwvJ47DxE1vJY/s1600/IMGP8300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_TQL51vVCpKHclcl0tK5gTcJ9Cs9beo16RBEZfZ8QEVVBD8CGZSmZugIRRnNcuw63as4_5z8od4OoWA2djPTnxUQxb8HsTTTtI43fCK1DaPp0di-5IuA7HfJ6fLlF5QwvJ47DxE1vJY/s320/IMGP8300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In honor of Thanksgiving this year, I have a special gift from me and several other Love Inspired Historical authors. It's a digital cookbook of favorite family recipes, with a heartwarming true-life story to accompany each recipe.<br />
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In the book you'll find everything from my very own banana pancake recipe to cabbage rolls to hunter's stew.<br />
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If you're interested in getting a copy of this book, please leave a comment below with your email address, and I'll be happy to send you a copy. I hope to eventually get this cookbook up on my website, where anyone interested can download it.<br />
<br />
And now for what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving: <b>YOU</b>. All of you wonderful blog readers who bless me with your presence and comments and positive spirits. Thank you for taking time to visit Making Home Work, and please take advantage of the cookbook. Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-773885982243697562012-11-12T00:00:00.000-06:002012-11-12T00:00:07.135-06:00Who’s Sorry Now?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apologizing has become an art form these days, with
politicians, celebrities and CEOs saying “I’m sorry” in the public arena for
misdeeds. Many times, the sincerity of such apologies are questions, with good
cause in some cases. I sometimes shudder to think how all those public <i>mea culpas</i> look to children.</div>
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We want our children to apologize when they do something
wrong. Usually, they can see—even if they don’t acknowledge—that their actions
were not right and therefore an “I’m sorry” is needed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But what about when the action was an accident, totally
unintentional? Then it’s harder for the child to make the connection as to the
apology’s necessary, but it doesn’t negate the fact that the apology should
still be made.</div>
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One way we raise our children to be good citizens is to ensure
they take responsibility for both their intentional and accidental actions.
Whether they mean to hurt someone—with words or deeds—is not the point, and so
many times we as parents get bogged down with the intent of the action.
Instead, we should focus on the action’s outcome—hurt feelings or hurt bodies.
If our child caused such hurt, whether it’s legitimate or not, whether it was
on purpose or not, then the child should apologize.</div>
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In our family, we’ve tried to teach our children how to
apologize. For instance, “I’m sorry,” isn’t enough. The child must say what
he’s apologizing for. The child to whom the apology is given also needs to
acknowledge the apology and tender forgiveness—at least verbally—by saying “I
forgive you.”</div>
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Some wrongs might need more than a verbal apology. I’ve had
my girls write letters of apology when they’ve hurt the feelings of a friend.
The very act of putting down on paper why they are sorry can help them feel
more remorse and also shows the other child their sincerity in the apology.</div>
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Children often don’t think to say they’re sorry because
they’re still learning not to be self-centered. Helping them follow the Golden
Rule—Do unto others as you would have them do unto you—is key to them realizing
their need to apologize.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s difficult to apologize, because we don’t like to be in
the wrong. We should remember that our children are watching us as we do—or
don’t, as the case may be—apologize for our own wrongdoings. The more sincere
and quick we are to say we’re sorry, the better example we’ll be for our
children to follow.</div>
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How do you handle it when your child needs to say he’s
sorry?</div>
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</div>
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Sarah Hamaker is a certified Leadership Parenting Coach
through the John Rosemond Leadership Parenting Coaching Institute. She’s also a
freelance writer and editor, and author of <i>Hired@Home</i>,
a guide to unlocking women’s work-from-home potential now available on Kindle.
Her stories have appeared in <i>Chicken Soup
for the Soul</i> books. Sarah lives in <st1:state>Virginia</st1:state>
with her husband and four children. Visit her online at <a href="http://www.sarahhamaker.com/">www.sarahhamaker.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sarah Hamakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069058366994390856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-10769519697133444062012-11-08T00:00:00.000-06:002012-11-08T00:00:04.144-06:00Breakfast Casserole Recipe from Author Amber Stockton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaBMCbzsRxZyw5Lo5eN4Y8gWV6G4CSD1P8R3ZOFXlX_Ltx5hN_tCkdEYNMklsStqPHoTLn6M8ahS-to-Auvc5RKBQkQv2gFUwjnDhOtMHRnI61-qSwPBNEYPSY6aldvqScvYQGxTD3go/s1600/breakfast+casserole.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaBMCbzsRxZyw5Lo5eN4Y8gWV6G4CSD1P8R3ZOFXlX_Ltx5hN_tCkdEYNMklsStqPHoTLn6M8ahS-to-Auvc5RKBQkQv2gFUwjnDhOtMHRnI61-qSwPBNEYPSY6aldvqScvYQGxTD3go/s200/breakfast+casserole.jpg" width="200" /></a>We're back again today with author <a href="http://www.amberstockton.com/" target="_blank">Amber Stockton</a>, who has a delicious Breakfast Casserole Recipe to share. If you haven't stopped by our <a href="http://makinghomeworkblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/interview-and-giveaway-with-amber.html" target="_blank">interview</a> yet this week, Amber is giving away a copy of one of her novels. The contest ends Saturday, November 10 at midnight. <br />
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<b>Breakfast casserole</b> (can freeze and throw in the oven for 1 hour at any time)<br />
<br />
1 package of hash brown potatoes or cubed/diced potatoes (frozen)<br />
1 lb. of bacon or sausage chopped/diced (can substitute ham as well)<br />
1 each of yellow, green, and red bell peppers, gutted and sliced into thin strips (optional)<br />
1 lb. of shredded sharp cheddar<br />
5 eggs broken and mixed<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 375. Coat a 16x9 in. pan in nonstick spray. Dump in potatoes to cover the bottom and spread evenly. Sprinkle in the meat, bell peppers (optional), and shredded cheddar. Pour the eggs over top and add salt and pepper to taste. Bake in an oven at 375 for 45 minutes if ingredients are fresh, or 1 hour if casserole is frozen. Cool and serve.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOetzrmUzzUrPY6IfhBESz5PRjm9CRxe6uODt7DejYk6kwuD1zE2Jv0CCIvD1GdhsFpj4UngXL1_l7alN9syXKzWehhV8aBLAT8XptEctHz4g7yXKjmwyxhhk7CQFQdP11TtG2BN3cvKw/s1600/colonialcourtshipscover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOetzrmUzzUrPY6IfhBESz5PRjm9CRxe6uODt7DejYk6kwuD1zE2Jv0CCIvD1GdhsFpj4UngXL1_l7alN9syXKzWehhV8aBLAT8XptEctHz4g7yXKjmwyxhhk7CQFQdP11TtG2BN3cvKw/s320/colonialcourtshipscover.jpg" width="209" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOetzrmUzzUrPY6IfhBESz5PRjm9CRxe6uODt7DejYk6kwuD1zE2Jv0CCIvD1GdhsFpj4UngXL1_l7alN9syXKzWehhV8aBLAT8XptEctHz4g7yXKjmwyxhhk7CQFQdP11TtG2BN3cvKw/s1600/colonialcourtshipscover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<b>Colonial Courtships:</b> My Novella (Trading Hearts): Jonathan Ingersoll is a successful merchant trader along the Great (Connecticut) River. When flooding forces him to take sanctuary in an unfamiliar inn along his route, he meets the innkeeper’s daughter, Clara Marie Preston. Immediately attracted to her shy, yet caring spirit and quiet faith, Jonathan makes a point to return. But animosity from her brother gives him pause. Learning the source of the resentment only spurs Jonathan to try that much harder to prove his worth. Doubts are cast upon his character, and his trade sales begin to decrease. When he tracks down the pirates who attacked Clara’s brother and sees justice served, things take a turn for the better. Finally, he can accept the full blessing for a union of marriage and make plans once more for the future.Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-11141345363257732052012-11-05T00:00:00.000-06:002012-11-05T00:00:12.785-06:00Interview and Giveaway with Amber Stockton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tKetkG3jtvh4uSwU8SEADYk0sYwt9IIvxzV4BOUlC8v8lZQsPoPZr-QTYac3aYqQuhv4zBkT6xrCefnwM4zjNNPf6rzVZ1VVqepDMEm9AoNIwpAAqroFNjwb4R782h_4umJ_4oVaROY/s1600/Amber+Stockton.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tKetkG3jtvh4uSwU8SEADYk0sYwt9IIvxzV4BOUlC8v8lZQsPoPZr-QTYac3aYqQuhv4zBkT6xrCefnwM4zjNNPf6rzVZ1VVqepDMEm9AoNIwpAAqroFNjwb4R782h_4umJ_4oVaROY/s200/Amber+Stockton.jpg" width="170" /></a>Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning best-selling author, speaker, and virtual assistant who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a daughter and a son, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. She has sold 14 books so far with more on the horizon. Three of her novels have won annual reader’s choice awards, and in 2009, she was voted #1 favorite new author for Barbour’s Heartsong Presents book club. Read more about her at her web site: <a href="http://www.amberstockton.com/">www.amberstockton.com</a>.<br />
<br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b>Hi Tiffany! Thanks for being with us today. Why don’t you tell me a bit about your family. How many children do you have, and if they still live at home, how old are they?</b><br /><br />I have 2 children, ages 3-1/2 and 1-1/2. They obviously still live at home and are quite under foot. :) They were born exactly 2 years, 1 week, and 1 hour apart. I spoke to my son in utero and told him he had to wait until his sister had her 2nd birthday before he arrived. He listened. :)<br /><br /><b>Wow, they sure are young. You must stay really busy around the house. Why did you choose to work from home rather than find a job elsewhere?</b><br /><br />The spring before we discovered we were pregnant, I lost my job of 11 years due to cut-backs and corporate decision to eliminate me because I earned more than any other equivalent employee in my position. The economy at the time made it nearly impossible to find anything to equal my income, so my husband and I talked it over and we decided I’d increase my work from home. That summer, we learned we were expecting, and it solidified our decision. I’ve been working from home ever since and wouldn’t trade a moment of the opportunity to be with my children every day.<br /><br /><b>What is the most challenging aspect of working from home while raising children?</b><br /><br />Time. I don’t have a lot of it with my children so young right now and so dependent upon me to change diapers, get them dressed or help pick out clothes, prepare all their meals, clean up after them, bathe them, etc. Nap time is what I consider my “sacred” time. I worked very hard once my son started giving up his morning nap to get my two children on the same nap schedule. It doesn’t work every day, as either one of them have been known to take short naps or no nap at all from time to time. However, for the most part, they nap 2 to 2-1/2 hours every afternoon, and that gives me a solid block of time to be as productive as I can be. I also work after they go to bed or first thing in the morning before they wake. I snag whatever time I am able to find.<br /><br /><b>Oh goodness, do I ever sympathize with you. My two kids are three years apart, and I started seriously writing when my youngest was just four months old. It's hard to get ANY extra work besides mommying and housekeeping done some days. Did you ever get your children involved with your home business? What advice would you give mothers thinking about having their children help with their business?</b><br /><br />Right now, no. They are too young. But I do encourage them to help me with little things like taping up mailing envelopes, carrying books and other items to the car when we have to make a run to the post office or other errands, and I explain to them the importance of mommy needing to focus on work sometimes while they are awake. I have been blessed with two children who play well together (when they aren’t engaging in typical sibling squabbles) or independently, so when I have a pressing need to complete a task for the publisher for whom I’m a virtual assistant, or work that needs to be done for my writing career, I can usually complete it without too much discipline interruptions. I pray it remains this way and only improves as my children get older. It would be wonderful to have their help with my work at home when they are old enough to be involved.<br /><br /><b>If you're married, what challenges did working from home present to your marriage, and how did you compensate?</b><br />Again, it’s the time. Because I work first thing in the morning, during nap time, and after the children go to bed, my husband and I often have to schedule “us” time. We were both single for the entire decade of our 20’s, and we’ve only been married 5 years this year, so we’re still fairly new at this. However, he is a gamer and when I am busy, he disappears into his gaming world, often not communicating to me that he’d like to spend time together. I try to remember to schedule that time, but removing the spontaneity has forced us to be creative in other ways for our time together. And we often have the conversation about communication to remind each other of the importance of letting the other one know how we feel. We’re both guilty of slipping into our “single” mindset, so it’s a daily practice.<br /><br /><b>If you could start all over again, what would you do differently? What would you do the same?</b><br /><br />I often tell people I see every day why authors wait until their children are older before getting started with a writing career. It certainly wasn’t in MY plan to have a career first then a husband and children. My goal was husband and family then career, but God obviously had another plan…and a unique sense of humor. I’ve had to adapt. I’m not sure I’d go back to my original plan or not, as my life now is giving me a substantial amount of content for my speaking career, and it’s forcing me to depend on others to help me through this where if I had it my way, I might not have reached out as much as I do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">As for what I would do the same? That’s easy. I’d choose again to stay home with my children.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b>I completely understand. It's so hard to find writing time with little kids running around. And I think it's even worse for unpublished writers. I really think if I didn't get my first book contract for <i>Sanctuary for a Lady</i> when I did, I wouldn't still be writing. It took so much of my energy away from my family, and I wasn't even getting paid for it! That's hard. Is it worth it? What keeps you home instead of having an outside career?</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Most definitely! I knew at a young age I only wanted to be a wife and mother, but nearly 15 years of work outside the home helped me see I also needed to work. God provided the means and the opportunity for me to have it all and stay home. It’s a tremendous blessing in so many ways<b>. </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Oh goodness, are we every opposite. I WOULD have chosen that career before marrying and becoming a mom. But God had different plans, and I found myself pregnant after only nine months of marriage.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">***** </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Tiffany has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of one of her books to one lucky winner this week. To enter the contest, you need to answer Tiffany's question in the comment section below. The giveaway will end Saturday, November 10 at midnight. Tiffany will be back with us again on Thursday, sharing her breakfast casserole recipe. Yummy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So, Tiffany's question for you to answer is . . . </span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">What do you see as one positive and negative aspect of working from home. Why? </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Keep in mind you'll need to answer this question to be entered in the giveaway.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIE6rgb_3-m_Ub-tLyZxApQq8Hnbx4izFyHDeevLJEFJLRMZuVac9MbQLXMqlqYBMtSQ3-sB3BA4NvjqS6znF_7IYr2TKTqbYPJKLsLAAPIPmzYRR5D6uYKfFe2k-Fw_RJ_BrlKe4dWkg/s1600/StealingHearts_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIE6rgb_3-m_Ub-tLyZxApQq8Hnbx4izFyHDeevLJEFJLRMZuVac9MbQLXMqlqYBMtSQ3-sB3BA4NvjqS6znF_7IYr2TKTqbYPJKLsLAAPIPmzYRR5D6uYKfFe2k-Fw_RJ_BrlKe4dWkg/s1600/StealingHearts_sm.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">In the meantime, take a look at one of her new novels out this month, <i>Stealing Hearts</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i>When Grace Baxton comes face-to-face with the thief who broke into her uncle's home, she isn't </i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i>prepared for meeting Andrew Bradenton—not a young boy out to cause trouble and no hardened criminal, either. The judge sentences Andrew Bradenton to work for the Baxton family, and being forced to see him almost daily, Grace struggles with forgiveness. Out of guilt, Andrew offers to help Grace search for an heirloom book. When a handsome stranger appears with the book in hand, warming Grace's heart and finding favor with her uncle, Grace is torn over her growing attraction for both men. Andrew tries to prove the stranger is up to no good, but after key documents and money go missing from her uncle's safe, Andrew is seen as the guilty party. Will Grace discover the truth in time?</i><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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</span>Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-87186457010626369312012-10-29T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-29T00:00:07.291-05:00Children's Book Review: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhgL1QVhyphenhyphenT2tM_W5TU5VvGSjr85lxGHj1wJxchVXpBSE54m31yfLB5InQS-eBW30bhkRrVCvKyorqTdQl1TCMQAzUUqtdkKuFr8tvwuUqNoKkyxNrOkECX_KXju33mEwJ6mmgBY3kY8s/s1600/little-mouse-the-red-ripe-strawberry-and-the-big-hungry-bear.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhgL1QVhyphenhyphenT2tM_W5TU5VvGSjr85lxGHj1wJxchVXpBSE54m31yfLB5InQS-eBW30bhkRrVCvKyorqTdQl1TCMQAzUUqtdkKuFr8tvwuUqNoKkyxNrOkECX_KXju33mEwJ6mmgBY3kY8s/s200/little-mouse-the-red-ripe-strawberry-and-the-big-hungry-bear.jpg" width="185" /></a>This is a book that I remember from when I was growing up. It was first published in the 1980s (a year before I was born), and has since sold over a million copies. I remember sitting on the couch reading it with my mother, and now I have the privilege of reading it to my own children. And oh how fun it is to see my children fall in love with the story! <br />
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So how does a little mouse hide his red ripe strawberry from the big hungry bear? Well, there are numerous ways that include everything from disguises to armed guards, but you'll have to read the book to discover the best way to protect a strawberry. And watch out, because you just might meet a fox along the way!<br />
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All in all, this is one of my favorite children's books, and both of my boys (who are different ages and have very different tastes) love this story as well. I suggest you get a copy for your own bookshelf, or at least rent it from the local library. Our library has puppets that go along with this story as well, and my kids love playing with the mouse and strawberry.<br />
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So now I'm curious. How many of you remember this book from your childhood days?Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-25203036934881014772012-10-25T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-25T06:10:37.995-05:00"Hurried Mom's" Dinner Recipe from Carla Gade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqiWx9OQ_xKqV2TdVY6GWtWkLZcBRi3H-8Ig02ZmKacrVaYmuPcl-JX4ZjyzEcrFAZLQQL7DFL9Ov1U_3zn2jm8R_-Zf_kg3W4M0C8KcSDlh4REDpBwIY1UHaD1U3z-QqHRFUi_238T0/s1600/cgadeheadshot.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqiWx9OQ_xKqV2TdVY6GWtWkLZcBRi3H-8Ig02ZmKacrVaYmuPcl-JX4ZjyzEcrFAZLQQL7DFL9Ov1U_3zn2jm8R_-Zf_kg3W4M0C8KcSDlh4REDpBwIY1UHaD1U3z-QqHRFUi_238T0/s320/cgadeheadshot.jpg" width="213" /></a>We're back today with a quick, easy dinner recipe from <a href="http://writingtodistraction.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Author Carla Olson Gade</a>. Actually, she gave us two recipes. And I must admit, as easy as the second recipe is, the first just my style:<br />
<br />
<i>Stouffer’s Chicken Alfredo. Stick it in the microwave for 10 minutes and ta da! LOL!<br /> </i><br />
<i><b>Hurried Mom’s Dinner:</b></i><br />
<i>1 porkshop, </i><br />
<i>2 peeled whole carrots (trim ends off, cut in half, slice down the middle), </i><br />
<i>1 medium potato (cut in half). </i><br />
<br />
<i>Wrap ingredients in aluminum foil and bake until done, about 30 minutes. Serve in foil, no plates needed.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOetzrmUzzUrPY6IfhBESz5PRjm9CRxe6uODt7DejYk6kwuD1zE2Jv0CCIvD1GdhsFpj4UngXL1_l7alN9syXKzWehhV8aBLAT8XptEctHz4g7yXKjmwyxhhk7CQFQdP11TtG2BN3cvKw/s1600/colonialcourtshipscover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Thanks for sharing those quick, easy ideas with us, Carla. I think every mom on the planet need a few of those back up meals in her arsenal (along with coupons for the local pizza place).<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOetzrmUzzUrPY6IfhBESz5PRjm9CRxe6uODt7DejYk6kwuD1zE2Jv0CCIvD1GdhsFpj4UngXL1_l7alN9syXKzWehhV8aBLAT8XptEctHz4g7yXKjmwyxhhk7CQFQdP11TtG2BN3cvKw/s1600/colonialcourtshipscover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOetzrmUzzUrPY6IfhBESz5PRjm9CRxe6uODt7DejYk6kwuD1zE2Jv0CCIvD1GdhsFpj4UngXL1_l7alN9syXKzWehhV8aBLAT8XptEctHz4g7yXKjmwyxhhk7CQFQdP11TtG2BN3cvKw/s320/colonialcourtshipscover.jpg" width="209" /></a><br />
Don't forget we featured an <a href="http://makinghomeworkblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/interview-and-giveaway-with-author.html" target="_blank">interview with Carla Olson Gade</a> on Monday, and we're giving away a copy of Colonial Courtships to one lucky commenter. If you haven't entered the giveaway yet, be sure to stop by and leave a comment. The contest ends on Saturday, October 27, at midnight.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Unexpected adventure has the four Ingersoll brothers
rethinking their futures. But will it thwart their plans for good or bring
about four colonial courtships?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Carving a Future - Connecticut, 1753: Ship
figurehead carver Nathaniel Ingersoll has apprenticed for many years under his
Uncle Phineas and hopes to become a master ship carver in his own right.
Constance Starling was spirited away from England to the Connecticut coast as
an indentured servant, arriving too ill for anyone to accept her. When Nathaniel
takes pity on her, he purchases her contract. Has he jeopardized the future he
has worked so hard to achieve for the welfare of a weakly servant?</i></div>
Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-56504616861420836262012-10-22T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-22T11:49:46.039-05:00Interview and Giveaway with Author Carla Olson Gade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqiWx9OQ_xKqV2TdVY6GWtWkLZcBRi3H-8Ig02ZmKacrVaYmuPcl-JX4ZjyzEcrFAZLQQL7DFL9Ov1U_3zn2jm8R_-Zf_kg3W4M0C8KcSDlh4REDpBwIY1UHaD1U3z-QqHRFUi_238T0/s1600/cgadeheadshot.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqiWx9OQ_xKqV2TdVY6GWtWkLZcBRi3H-8Ig02ZmKacrVaYmuPcl-JX4ZjyzEcrFAZLQQL7DFL9Ov1U_3zn2jm8R_-Zf_kg3W4M0C8KcSDlh4REDpBwIY1UHaD1U3z-QqHRFUi_238T0/s320/cgadeheadshot.jpg" width="213" /></a>I've got a fun guest to introduce to you today. Her name is <a href="http://writingtodistraction.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carla Olson Gade</a>, and she's the author of <i>The Shadow Catcher's Daughter </i>as well as the novella <i>Carving a Future</i> in a brand new novella collection from Barbour Publishing, called<i> Colonial Courtships</i>.<br />
<br />
I first met Carla last year sometime. It seems that we both got our book contracts, her for <i>The Shadow Catcher's Daughter</i> and me for <i>Sanctuary for a Lady</i>, around the same time. And that's how we hooked up. Carla will be giving away one copy of Colonial Courtships to a commenter. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment with your email address at the end of the post. I hope you enjoy the interview. <br />
<br />
<b>Tell me a bit about your family. How many children do you have, and if they still live at home, how old are they? </b><br />
<br />
I live in central Maine with my husband, Brad. We have two sons, Brandon (24), and Justin (25) who live nearby, but have their own apartments. Justin is going to be a dad in the spring, so I’ll be a Nana! <br />
<br />
<b>Why did you choose to work from home rather than find a job elsewhere? </b><br />
<br />
For the most part I was a stay at home mom while my children grew up. I occasionally had a part-time job, including paid ministry work, and did home day-care for a time. When they were older, I worked from home as a web designer for many years, and taught adult education courses. It was important for me to be the primary caregiver for my children. I also home schooled my children for several years, as it was important to me to be involved in their education. After my boys grew up, I worked part-time for an adult literacy agency. Even though finances were tight, I have never regretted my time spent working “inside the home” and I commend moms who can do so, though I know it is not always possible.<br />
<br />
<b>What is the most challenging aspect of working from home while raising children?</b><br />
<br />
When my sons were small, I started writing fiction as a hobby with dreams that perhaps someday I might get published. But, given our family circumstances, I had to put some of my dreams on hold, although I still enjoyed writing occasionally, and wrote a newsletter for young mothers. It is important to keep in step with the Lord for his timing for our goals and specific needs of our family. <br />
<br />
Over-commitment is something to be wary of for a mom at home, be it part-time work, volunteer activities, or children’s activities. When I do something, I tend to go into overdrive and hyper-focus and I knew my kids sensed my frustration when I felt they were interrupting me. My “just one minute” mantra didn’t cut it. Children don’t like to be interrupted either, but we tend to disregard that. Practically speaking, we learned to give each other time to switch gears while displaying the proper attitude: they knew they were ultimately my top priority, and they need to show respectful obedience. Balance, pacing, respect. And showing by example how to make a discerning choice by not saying yes to everything that comes along so we can better concentrate on our true purpose and not be distracted by the busyness. It’s also important for them to understand what your work looks like, so they know when mom is working or not, especially true when you do computer work. <br />
<br />
<b>Did you ever get your children involved with your home business? What advice would you give mothers thinking about having their children help with their business? </b><br />
<br />
My children often helped with ministry projects, entrepreneurial activities, and business. I wanted them to feel like they were contributing, too, and that their participation was valuable. Both of my sons were hired to help out on occasion. One of my sons did some graphic design and computer work for me, giving him an opportunity to earn monetary compensation for his talents. And when we directed youth camps, everyone had a job. One son worked in the kitchen, another ran the camp store. As adults they are often complimented–and rewarded–for their strong work ethic and helpful attitudes. That, they learned at home!<br />
<br />
<b>If you're married, what challenges did working from home present to your marriage, and how did you compensate? </b><br />
My husband was more objective than about how much I could handle. I have a lot of health issues, and as I said earlier would sometimes take on too much. My enthusiasm didn’t always match my physical state of being. It is important to consider your husband’s opinion and develop a realistic plan for meeting goals together. Nothing can breed resentment quicker, though I am happy to have a very supportive and considerate huz! I found that communication is really important to coordinate schedules and family responsibilities. When you work at home, it affects your husband, too. One thing that helps is setting work hours that fit your family’s and marriage's style.<br />
<br />
<b>If you could start all over again, what would you do differently? What would you do the same? </b><br />
<br />
Be more discerning about how I spent my time and not get so exhausted. But for the most part, I’m happy to have homeschooled my sons for as long as I did, and that I was around when they were teenagers. I’m glad I was able to teach them the benefit of working and serving together with their family and others. One thing I’d do exactly the same is belong a mother’s support group as I did when my boys were young (I was a co-founder and also led a mother’s Bible study). It enriched my life and was invaluable.<br />
<br />
<b>Is it worth it? What keeps you home instead of having an outside career?</b><br />
<br />
Yes, it was worth it! I cherish the time I was able to spend at home with my children and now that I have an empty nest, I miss them so much. Since I’m such a homebody though, I’m happy that now I can write full-time as a career from my home office. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOetzrmUzzUrPY6IfhBESz5PRjm9CRxe6uODt7DejYk6kwuD1zE2Jv0CCIvD1GdhsFpj4UngXL1_l7alN9syXKzWehhV8aBLAT8XptEctHz4g7yXKjmwyxhhk7CQFQdP11TtG2BN3cvKw/s1600/colonialcourtshipscover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOetzrmUzzUrPY6IfhBESz5PRjm9CRxe6uODt7DejYk6kwuD1zE2Jv0CCIvD1GdhsFpj4UngXL1_l7alN9syXKzWehhV8aBLAT8XptEctHz4g7yXKjmwyxhhk7CQFQdP11TtG2BN3cvKw/s320/colonialcourtshipscover.jpg" width="209" /></a><br />
<b>Thank you for that lovely interview, Carla! We're so pleased to have you with us this week. Carla will be with us again on Thursday to share a quick recipe. In the meantime, don't forget to leave a comment with an email address for a chance to win a copy of Colonial Courtships. The giveaway will end Saturday, October</b> <b>27, at Midnight. </b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> </b><i> </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Unexpected adventure has the four Ingersoll brothers
rethinking their futures. But will it thwart their plans for good or bring
about four colonial courtships?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
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<i>Carving a Future - Connecticut, 1753: Ship
figurehead carver Nathaniel Ingersoll has apprenticed for many years under his
Uncle Phineas and hopes to become a master ship carver in his own right.
Constance Starling was spirited away from England to the Connecticut coast as
an indentured servant, arriving too ill for anyone to accept her. When Nathaniel
takes pity on her, he purchases her contract. Has he jeopardized the future he
has worked so hard to achieve for the welfare of a weakly servant?</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-5305052041907408892012-10-15T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-15T00:00:02.038-05:00The Benefits of Exercising <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8jx830bj9D8PyzT5-dMToJgr2bUXIz8NlgU2RVeHnnJUdWlntOQH2sPaVk_O8p_e5kXm3Mo4U0URtSfX0uzqzU1sD6ChS9fLhe6ZYo4hDXz31_eiqHToDxNPMUGiKJfDLLBpJT8xG2Q/s1600/Exercise+gym.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8jx830bj9D8PyzT5-dMToJgr2bUXIz8NlgU2RVeHnnJUdWlntOQH2sPaVk_O8p_e5kXm3Mo4U0URtSfX0uzqzU1sD6ChS9fLhe6ZYo4hDXz31_eiqHToDxNPMUGiKJfDLLBpJT8xG2Q/s320/Exercise+gym.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As moms, we often find our schedules filled to the brim with our children and their activities, housework, meals, personal projects and the list goes on. One thing we busy moms often leave out of our schedules is a little thing called . . .<br />
<br />
Exercise.<br />
<br />
Yes, that's right exercise. Some days I'm so busy that exercise seems like it should a swear word. But it isn't. It's a time-consuming but beneficial habit that each and every one of us should make time for <i>at least</i> twice a week.<br />
<br />
Don't believe me? People who exercise regularly:<br />
<br />
1. Maintain better control of their weight.<br />
2. Reduce their chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.<br />
3. Have more energy.<br />
4. Get better sleep.<br />
5. Have better psychological health.<br />
6. Maintain healthier bones, muscles and joints.<br />
<br />
Oftentimes in our quests to take good care of our families, we forget to take good care of ourselves. But in truth, the whole family benefits when mama is healthy, happy, and well rested. Exercise is key to all three of those things. So if you're not already making time to exercise two or three times a week, make some!<br />
<br />I'll have some fun exercise ideas posted later in the week. In the meantime, pencil in a couple hours of exercise this week.Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-57946645840103559742012-10-11T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-11T11:07:34.312-05:00Friend Me (Not)<br />
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Friend me, friend me not. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorkhHF1-yEsrulwFHFl0TufoqpkA9mOUKpHAnUfbHZw7rB9TmE_1JOW5VnJEL4p1Kh5kV2ZYlTL-1D-uUCGjzu2d_WFyPomk2ySoGN5pPu1kkbVFuGv4lupkOV4yqzbpc_kPONxWzWfE/s1600/daisy-md.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorkhHF1-yEsrulwFHFl0TufoqpkA9mOUKpHAnUfbHZw7rB9TmE_1JOW5VnJEL4p1Kh5kV2ZYlTL-1D-uUCGjzu2d_WFyPomk2ySoGN5pPu1kkbVFuGv4lupkOV4yqzbpc_kPONxWzWfE/s1600/daisy-md.png" /></a></div>
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Should you or should you not be your child’s friend is one of the
biggest modern parenting questions. Many parents use the framework “Will my
child still like me if I do X?” before making any decision, whether consciously
or unconsciously. And having a child scream at you, “I hate you,” and run off
crying to her room can devastate most parents. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Fifty years ago, parents didn’t worry about whether or not
their children liked them. Fifty years ago, parents realized that being a good
parent wasn’t going to be popular with the kids. Fifty years ago, parents knew
that when a child yelled “I hate you,” it generally meant they were doing the
right thing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We need to realize that we shouldn’t worry so much about
having our children’s approval. Keep in mind that by not concerning yourself
with being liked by your kids, you will be a much more effective leader in your
home. Someone needs to do the heavy lifting when it comes to the discipline and
decision-making that is part of the growing-up process. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Remember, the right decisions are not going to be popular. Who
ever heard of a child protesting vehemently when you told him he was going out
for ice cream? Children only protest when they don’t like the decision. </div>
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<br /></div>
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You as a parent should expect that one day, your child will
shout to you the heart-rending words “I hate you”—because that’s what all kids
do at some point. Children may say they don’t like you, but if you think about
when they utter those words, it’s usually because they disagree with whatever
decision (or consequence) you’ve just delivered. The reality is, you are giving
them what they need, even though they can’t express it (and probably won’t
appreciate it) until they are parents themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Whenever the need to be liked by your children hits you,
think about the future. Doing our job as leaders when our kids are under 18
lays the foundation for a lifetime of friendship. We only have a mere 18 years
to train and mentor our kids, but many times over to be their friend when they
become adults. </div>
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<br /></div>
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My mother and I clashed some during the teen years, and
there were times when I—much to my embarrassment now—hollered that I hated her.
Today, I’m grateful for the many years we’ve had of sweet friendship, of
sharing and laughing and praying together, of being mother and daughter, yet
friends as well. Years that I hope will continue well into the future.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So preserve in your calling as a parent, the authority in
the home, by fixing your eyes on the long term goal instead of a short-term
gain of being liked by your kids all the time. If we focus on raising
responsible, caring, emancipated adults, we will have done our job well—and
found a new friend in our grown children.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How do you handle unpopular decisions with your children?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sarah Hamaker is a certified Leadership Parenting Coach™
through the John Rosemond Leadership Parenting Coaching Institute. She’s also a
freelance writer/editor, author of <i>Hired@Home</i>
and her stories have appeared in <i>Chicken
Soup for the Soul</i> books. Sarah lives in <st1:state>Virginia</st1:state>
with her husband and four children. Visit her online at <a href="http://www.sarahhamaker.com/">www.sarahhamaker.com</a>, and follow her on
Twitter @novaparentcoach. <o:p></o:p></div>
Sarah Hamakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069058366994390856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-23236138293882892272012-10-08T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-08T00:00:04.307-05:00Book Spotlight: The Daughters of Bainbridge House Series by Laurie Alice EakesHi Everyone!<br />
<br />
I wanted to take a few minutes today to spotlight a series I've been reading, The Daughters of Bainbrigde House by Laurie Alice Eakes. This series is set during the British Regency period, which occurred in England from 1811-1820. While the secular romance market is filled with Regency Romance writers such as Julia Quinn, Loretta Chase, Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverly, Eloisa James, and the list goes on, the inspirational fiction market has seen only a handful of authors write about this period.<br />
<br />
Julie Klassen is one of the more recognized inspirational Regency authors. Her books have won numerous awards and hit the Christian Booksellers Association's bestseller list. Laurie Alice Eakes is another inspirational Regency author whose books are quickly gaining in popularity.<br />
<br />
In the Daughters of Bainbridge House Series, the three heroines are sisters, and also daughters of a rather controlling and politically ambitious baron, who manages to muck around in his daughter's love lives a little too often. Here's more about the books:<br />
<br />
<b>Book 1: A Necessary Deception </b><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvVSzTUAwKpNoRUbE1QuxMMCoOAfbvFpKRt9jWG6rQCMmgtKTisfXrn-AZViE0zVwoJMQ5wDR-FmESmpCCYTW6ZvnJshVwSdhRQ83648UCEuQcCypkft5XI2_YEWpPrjwF1zS7683eHY/s1600/A+Necessary+Deception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvVSzTUAwKpNoRUbE1QuxMMCoOAfbvFpKRt9jWG6rQCMmgtKTisfXrn-AZViE0zVwoJMQ5wDR-FmESmpCCYTW6ZvnJshVwSdhRQ83648UCEuQcCypkft5XI2_YEWpPrjwF1zS7683eHY/s320/A+Necessary+Deception.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<i>When young widow Lady Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole,
she never dreamed he would turn up in her parlor. But just as the London
Season is getting under way, there he is, along with a few other
questionable personages. While she should be focused on helping her
headstrong younger sister prepare for her entré into London society,
Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he
a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting her family in
danger?<br /><br />Readers will enjoy being drawn into this world of
elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades. Author Laurie Alice Eakes
whisks readers through the drawing rooms of London amid the sound of
rustling gowns on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past
and let love guide the future.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Book 2: A Flight of Fancy</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtW9qfzRix0KoGJxoYU5iFEfkzq7xhz-OqLGhbgO6uIKOnjz3YN9-aEDvH1ocL2j5B2rDcu-Mnkj8PAMFy62ucrDoRBACjfHnmkb2yZNwlhTJEN6vbRzvt0g5QclinFkTRuDbdGAWaiM/s1600/A+Flight+of+Fancy+3a-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtW9qfzRix0KoGJxoYU5iFEfkzq7xhz-OqLGhbgO6uIKOnjz3YN9-aEDvH1ocL2j5B2rDcu-Mnkj8PAMFy62ucrDoRBACjfHnmkb2yZNwlhTJEN6vbRzvt0g5QclinFkTRuDbdGAWaiM/s320/A+Flight+of+Fancy+3a-2.jpg" width="207" /></a> <i>Cassandra Bainbridge may be a bit of a bluestocking, but when Geoffrey
Giles is near, love seems a fine alternative to passion for Greek and
the physics of flight. With his dashing good looks and undying devotion
to her, the earl of Whittaker sets Cassandra's heart racing with his
very presence. It seems his only flaw is his distaste for ballooning,
the obsession that consumes so much of her thoughts.<br /><br />When a
terrible accident compels her to end her betrothal, Cassandra heads for
the country to recover from both her injuries and her broken heart. With
time on her hands and good friends to help her, she pursues her love
for ballooning and envisions a future for herself as a daring aeronaut.
But when Lord Whittaker slips back into her life, will she have to
choose between him and her dream?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Book 3: A Reluctant Courtship</b><br />
<br />
<i>A Reluctant Courtship</i> releases in October 1213 and will tell the story of the youngest and most beautiful Bainbridge daughter, Honore. Honore, for all her beauty though, seems rather cursed in love and always tangles with the wrong men. It will be refreshing to see her get things right when she finally has her own story!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***** </div>
<br />
This week, at <a href="http://www.regencyreflections.com/" target="_blank">Regency Reflections</a> (where I blog once a month with the author of the Bainbridge House series), we're having a giant party to celebrate the release of <i>A Flight of Fancy</i>. The author is giving away a Regency gift basket complete with tea, cookies, and even an amazon gift card. To enter the giveaway, you'll need to participate in the fun little Regency quiz we're giving. So if you've got a few minutes, <a href="http://www.regencyreflections.com/" target="_blank">head on over</a> and join the party!Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-26395016070362559912012-10-04T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-04T00:00:08.685-05:00Balancing Motherhood and Expectations: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkKqOUPUmJojaFJQ2q-XPOSYfaaXuE5536OBfVIvfZtHoByKptTEbGSiEw3dwoSep_DLwSx409CQvM7VVM3bAY0Mh7s0i-SuXinvY1HcPwP8CpZiVYw20svuPz9fvDM26Go51XNKOVd8/s1600/Letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkKqOUPUmJojaFJQ2q-XPOSYfaaXuE5536OBfVIvfZtHoByKptTEbGSiEw3dwoSep_DLwSx409CQvM7VVM3bAY0Mh7s0i-SuXinvY1HcPwP8CpZiVYw20svuPz9fvDM26Go51XNKOVd8/s320/Letter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On Monday, I blogged on <a href="http://makinghomeworkblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/balancing-motherhood-and-expectations.html" target="_blank">Balancing Motherhood and Expectations</a>, wherein I outlined three things we can do when other people's expectations seem to overwhelm us. Today I've got two more tips to share, plus a little story, about how sometimes life conspires against us, even when we really try our best to meet expectations. These tips continue from the first blog post, which is why they're numbered 4 and 5.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Accept help without grudging.</b><br />
<br />
For certain personalities (like mine!) accepting help can be hard. When someone offers to help us, we feel like we're only getting help because were a bit of a failure and our previous efforts aren't good enough. If we were good wives, mothers, etc., then no one would ever offer to help with anything.<br />
<br />
Whatever you do, don't fall into this thought pattern. It's a lie, and believing it will bring you little happiness. If you're a mom who gets up every morning and works for her family, if you make choices based on what's best for your children and husband, then you are NOT a failure, regardless of how sticky your kitchen cabinets are, or that there's a mess underneath the kitchen table--where you swept fifteen minutes ago.<br />
<br />
Most offers of help are genuine. Have you ever offered to help a friend or loved one and then had a great time doing so? I know I have. The truth is, when someone sees you in need and offers to help, accepting that help can mean blessings not just for you, but also for them. So the next time someone sees a need in your life and offers to help, realize the person is likely trying to be a blessing, not viewing you as a failure. Every person on the planet needs a helping hand once in a while. You're far from the only one!<br />
<br />
<b>5. Realize that your efforts will not always go according to plan.</b><br />
<br />
If we live isolated on a mountaintop with only bears and wolves to keep us company, we might find that we can control everything that happens to us . . . or mostly everything. Because if you really lived on such a mountaintop, there would still be threat of wildfire, avalanche, bear and wolf attacks, and the like.<br />
<br />
When we live in busy households and share bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, etc. with our children and spouse, our hard work and efforts don't always turn out the way we expect them too. People move that important bill from the table to the counter, and kids spill juice on that thank you note you finally got around to writing. Don't get frustrated. Instead take a deep breath and understand that plans sometimes change because of others in your family. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<br />
So, now for my funny story. Last week I FINALLY got around to writing a thank you note, filling out a survey form, and typing a response letter about a book I'd been given to analyze. Keep in mind I should have had these letters written at least three weeks earlier, if not a month. But I blocked out time in my schedule, got everything written, printed, stuffed in an envelope, addressed, and sealed. But I didn't have any stamps. So I left the letter on a corner of the table that usually remains undisturbed. <br />
<br />
Had I remembered to get stamps the next day, the letter could have gotten in the mail as it should. Unfortunately I forgot. And forgot and forgot and forgot. At some point in my forgetfulness, I set a water bottle beside the envelop. No big deal.<br />
<br />
Except the water bottle leaked. All over my nice, perfect letter. When I held the bottle up to figure out why there was water all over my table, I discovered a subtle crack in the metal along the bottom.<br />
<br />
So then I was stuck rewriting and printing everything. The letter got in the mail an entire week late. And as I was going through the process of re-mailing everything to a sweet older couple who probably expected to hear back from me four weeks ago, I decided that I wasn't going to feel guilty about what happened. I'm a mom with two little boys and a very busy life. It while was kind of that couple to buy me lunch, give me a book, and ask my opinion on it, responding to them took a lot of time.<br />
<br />
Time that is precious. Time I didn't have. And time I don't regularly allot, because I'm a mom who writes, not a business woman who happens to have children. <br />
<br />
But every night when I go to bed, and even twenty and thirty years from now, I don't and won't regret my decision to be a wife and mom first. Because my family is more important than keeping some acquaintances happy. <br />
<br />
<b>So what about you? Do you ever find yourself questioning your priorities about motherhood?</b>Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-91462901691733589132012-10-01T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-01T00:00:10.066-05:00Balancing Motherhood and Expectations<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrm3poUKOg1V1iYyfWwIXaXkT5nQ9AI3VSekGtSFGsZqGZmcYnhGCN9XJHAhrVHXz4m-f1QuRLpt8tHS1E590fTRSmd-byzE9ToHz8xPM4DyZg4lFNjAqCJHmQcGIUBakvvJ-vDy4XY8/s1600/file0001971678256.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrm3poUKOg1V1iYyfWwIXaXkT5nQ9AI3VSekGtSFGsZqGZmcYnhGCN9XJHAhrVHXz4m-f1QuRLpt8tHS1E590fTRSmd-byzE9ToHz8xPM4DyZg4lFNjAqCJHmQcGIUBakvvJ-vDy4XY8/s320/file0001971678256.jpg" width="320" /></a>Everyone has expectations of us, whether they be our husband or child; boss, parents, or in-laws. As mothers with busy lives, we often find ourselves with not only a long list of housework and children's needs to care for, but with an equally long list of other people's expectations.<br />
<br />
Your mother comes to visit, and she expects your house to be clean. Your in-laws come, and they expect your house to be clean. You have friends over for dinner, and they expect your house to be clean. You get together with a new acquaintance so your kids can have a play date, and she leaves in a huff after your son pushes hers.<br />
<br />
Yesterday we had a potluck at church, and everyone there expected me to be in the kitchen, smiling as I took food, cut the deserts and dishes that hadn't been cut, find spoons and spatulas for various dishes, and the list goes on.<br />
<br />
And often times as mothers, we're supposed to live up to these expectations while the our kids our off playing quietly in a corner. Heaven forbid they get up and run around, or that they get bored and leave that perfect little corner, or that they get mad and start fighting with one another.<br />
<br />
So how do we handle everybody else's expectations while still mothering our own children?<br />
<br />
<b>1. Focus on your priorities.</b><br />
Priorities can open up a whole other discussion, but as a wife and mother, your first priority should be your husband, and the next should be your children. You only get one chance to raise your kids, and then they're off on their own, making decisions based on the principles they learned throughout their childhood. So next time someone calls needing you to make something for the bake off, ask yourself if you can feasibly do that task, or if your kids will suffer by being shoved off into some corner.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Be polite but firm.</b><br />
When some well intentioned person (or even a vicious one) starts lecturing you about how your raising your children wrong, or your mother-in-law visits and goes immediately starts washing the fronts of your sticky cupboards, be polite and gently remind that person that keeping them happy isn't your primary goal in life. <br />
<br />
<b>3. Don't feel guilty.</b><br />
Realize that some expectations simply won't get met, and don't feel guilty for putting your family first. You're accountable to God for how you handle your family, not for how many times you make the nosy neighbor across the street smile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrm3poUKOg1V1iYyfWwIXaXkT5nQ9AI3VSekGtSFGsZqGZmcYnhGCN9XJHAhrVHXz4m-f1QuRLpt8tHS1E590fTRSmd-byzE9ToHz8xPM4DyZg4lFNjAqCJHmQcGIUBakvvJ-vDy4XY8/s1600/file0001971678256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
On Thursday I'll be sharing a fun story about how motherhood and expectations conflicted for me last week. But first I have some questions for you. <b>What's the most unreasonable thing a person's ever expected of you? How do you handle other people's rigorous expectations?</b> Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-72887972302525887402012-09-27T11:56:00.001-05:002012-09-27T11:56:13.172-05:00Announcing an Interview and Giveaway with Author Abby Gaines<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmPxl5B0SgKu1udrrB_ZjcVtyjJqfXXiArol6WLGZmKpWQNPSj-9Vnf05XxgRqclAQ1jbhlcST6XIVsCBe_fcQiX9uYso88QDLcaPN0Do3iSjdb8t0Z4XMMEtnh56XzMOmxVMPcB05Hg/s1600/The+Earl%27s+Mistaken+Bride.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmPxl5B0SgKu1udrrB_ZjcVtyjJqfXXiArol6WLGZmKpWQNPSj-9Vnf05XxgRqclAQ1jbhlcST6XIVsCBe_fcQiX9uYso88QDLcaPN0Do3iSjdb8t0Z4XMMEtnh56XzMOmxVMPcB05Hg/s200/The+Earl%27s+Mistaken+Bride.jpg" width="126" /></a>This past winter, I read The Earl's Mistaken Bride by Author Abby Gaines. That was the first of the Parson's Daughters series from Love Inspired Historical. And the book starts when one of a parson's daughters gets tricked into a marriage by her younger sister. A super fun story that I enjoyed the entire way through!<br />
<br />
Now the next book in the series is out, and it's entitled, The Governess and Mr. Granville:<br />
<em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbWcaYvQmHojO0ItLDkVvvempFS7FFK47PNjVRIeVwcbzQW0-E4_o0X9aS9m2AhY894riDgeWIyo7tY91FupBlTMrHK6YMfR4twc99XowFSuh42FBogmTP2HsVMYZGDA03zKZdnSkIjg/s1600/GovGranville+cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbWcaYvQmHojO0ItLDkVvvempFS7FFK47PNjVRIeVwcbzQW0-E4_o0X9aS9m2AhY894riDgeWIyo7tY91FupBlTMrHK6YMfR4twc99XowFSuh42FBogmTP2HsVMYZGDA03zKZdnSkIjg/s200/GovGranville+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></em><br />
<br />
<em>Dominic Granville needs a wife—whether he wants one or not! And
governess Serena Somerton </em><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbWcaYvQmHojO0ItLDkVvvempFS7FFK47PNjVRIeVwcbzQW0-E4_o0X9aS9m2AhY894riDgeWIyo7tY91FupBlTMrHK6YMfR4twc99XowFSuh42FBogmTP2HsVMYZGDA03zKZdnSkIjg/s1600/GovGranville+cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>intends to find one for him. A marriage of
convenience would provide the wealthy widower’s five children with a
mother’s tender care. And yet none of Dominic’s prospective brides can
meet Serena’s increasingly high standards. </em><br />
<em> </em>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>Dominic can’t imagine why his sister
hired such an unconventional, outspoken governess. Yet Miss Somerton’s
quirks can’t curb his growing interest in this spirited young woman. His
imperfect governess could be his ideal wife…</em></div>
<br />
While I don't have an interview and giveaway here on Making Home Work, I am hosting one over at Regency Reflections this week. Make sure to stop by, say hi to Abby, and enter the giveaway if you have time. <a href="http://christianregency.com/blog/2012/09/26/interview-with-regency-romance-author-abby-gaines/" target="_blank">http://christianregency.com/blog/2012/09/26/interview-with-regency-romance-author-abby-gaines/</a>Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-19887620838358128522012-09-24T00:00:00.000-05:002012-09-24T00:00:04.823-05:00Raising Children--Quotes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru_DbkXu8TxJmwqAmjYGrf0ERZ-LNBYA2Y5gRfA48_pke761sejx7L5FBvIorBXbWnyF-hNFTPL-ojlnEj3SVkqhn8P28mvC18MhHt9Erur8AIiWPZUl4u6cMT1_VRot1uE7r2fk1RVY/s1600/file1891283659092.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru_DbkXu8TxJmwqAmjYGrf0ERZ-LNBYA2Y5gRfA48_pke761sejx7L5FBvIorBXbWnyF-hNFTPL-ojlnEj3SVkqhn8P28mvC18MhHt9Erur8AIiWPZUl4u6cMT1_VRot1uE7r2fk1RVY/s320/file1891283659092.jpg" width="320" /></a>I've got some inspiring quotes about children today. As I scoured the internet looking these up, I found lots more to share. So I'll have others coming over the next few weeks. Enjoy!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<br />
“Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and the one most important of all the things we can give to them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children.”<br /><b>Rosaleen Dickson</b><br /><br />“Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.”<b> </b><br />
<b>Dr. Haim Ginott</b><br /><br />
“Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes, they forgive them”<br />
<b>Oscar Wilde </b><br /><br />“Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas”<br /><b>Anonymous</b><br /><br />"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future”<br />
<b>John F. Kennedy</b><br /><br />"Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardour, for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams, the clarity and ruthlessness of their vision."<br />
<b>Aldous Huxley</b><br /><br />"The best way to keep children home is to make the home a pleasant atmosphere--and let the air out of the tires." <br />
<b>Dorothy Parker</b><br /><br />"It goes without saying that you should never have more children than you have car windows."<br />
<b>Erma Bombeck</b><br />"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man."<br />
<b>Rabindranath Tagore</b><br /><br />"The people hardest to convince they're at the retirement age are children at bedtime."<br />
<b>Shannon Fife</b><br />"Children spell "love," T-I-M-E."<br />
<b>Dr Anthony P Whitman</b><br />"Perhaps the greatest social service that can be rendered by anybody to the country and to mankind is to bring up a family."<br /><b>George Bernard Shaw</b><br />
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Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-85611331181204741612012-09-20T00:00:00.000-05:002012-09-20T00:00:01.941-05:00Banana Pancake Recipe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65p5ngbLKcM9I750k0OsROJ7zcW_bOEF221PwOM_ub-cidRUUSPMAc9JREE-oWPY-CcaUdXeUglBFZnKhrKKAu4bRF06EJV7Dii9duUumT8b35d6ijeuuMTPWYMkuxZWjQRub18CjfHY/s1600/00332.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65p5ngbLKcM9I750k0OsROJ7zcW_bOEF221PwOM_ub-cidRUUSPMAc9JREE-oWPY-CcaUdXeUglBFZnKhrKKAu4bRF06EJV7Dii9duUumT8b35d6ijeuuMTPWYMkuxZWjQRub18CjfHY/s320/00332.jpg" width="320" /></a>Within the past year, I've discovered the wonderful world of banana pancakes. I grew up eating blueberry pancakes, but never tried banana pancakes until I was making pancakes one morning and I glanced at my overripe bananas sitting on the counter. So I thought, "Why not throw them in and see how things turn out?"<br />
<br />
The result was super yummy! They taste like banana bread, but all wrapped up in a pancake instead of a bread. Over the past few months, I've been experimenting with my recipe. Some recipes call for lots of banana and less flour, but I've found this gives the pancakes a rather mushy, banana taste. I like using a traditional pancake recipe and then tossing in some bananas for extra flavor. The end result is more like banana-bread.<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients: </b><br />
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 tablespoon white sugar<br />
1 1/4 cups milk<br />
1 egg<br />
2 tablespoons vegetable oil<br />
1 tablespoon ground flax seed (just to make things extra healthy)<br />
1-2 overripe mashed bananas (depending on how much flavor you want) <br />
<br />
<b>Directions: </b><br />
<br />
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center.<br />
<br />
In a separate bowl mix together the milk, egg, oil and banana; mix until smooth. (Here's a hint for mashing bananas: put them in a Ziploc bag, then give them to your kids to mash. Super fun for little ones!)<br />
<br />
Combine the liquid mixture with the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed. Be aware that the bananas will leave little lumps. <br />
<br />
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<br />
<b>And there you have it! A yummy banana pancake recipe. I recommend using maple syrup to top them off. </b><br />
<br />
<b>So now my question for you: What's the weirdest pancake you've ever eaten?</b><br />
<br />Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-73396988468810058872012-09-17T00:00:00.000-05:002012-09-17T00:00:11.221-05:00Book Spotlight: Romance Novels Set in MichiganToday I wanted to introduce you to two novels I've been waiting all summer to read. They're both set during Michigan's historical logging boom, which started just after the close Civil War and lasted until the end of the nineteenth century.<br />
<br />
The first book is <i>Unending Devotion</i> by <a href="http://www.jodyhedlund.com/" target="_blank">Author Jody Hedlund</a>:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW7Q_XqidwvXWP4YPJOpEGTZYPZB1JK73ke76CG-1fHqiSfmLjxBV6_Gx_IxALihoIz802f1aRO5a1A1GQ-nrJwoNauskKmg4zmQWjbKi9LxHv_PKZC6ZQdoSieNWPvgijqhFc7XKJYI/s1600/Unending+Devotion.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW7Q_XqidwvXWP4YPJOpEGTZYPZB1JK73ke76CG-1fHqiSfmLjxBV6_Gx_IxALihoIz802f1aRO5a1A1GQ-nrJwoNauskKmg4zmQWjbKi9LxHv_PKZC6ZQdoSieNWPvgijqhFc7XKJYI/s320/Unending+Devotion.jpg" width="206" /></a><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>In Her Darkest Hours, Is He the Man She Needs?<br /><br />Lily Young longs
to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she
searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer's assistant.
And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan--and the sights of Connell
McCormick. <br /><br />Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his
lumber-baron father and figures as long as he's living an upright life,
that's what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world,
forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too
much power while good men turn a blind eye. <br /><br />Vexing but
persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell's help, drawing them ever closer
to each other. Will standing for what's right cost them both everything?</i><br />
<br />
I just read this book two weeks ago. (Okay, actually I admit to being a total book geek and having the release date set on my calendar, then waking up on September first and downloading the book to my eReader before I even got out of bed. Pathetic, I know. But that's what happens when you're a book geek.)<br />
<br />
Anyway, Jody Hedlund did an excellent job of portraying the logging industry as a rugged, lonely, and even dissolute means of employment. She shows two different sides of the logging industry: both the side that provided timber and affordable housing to settlers in the west, and the side that mercilessly stripped Michigan of it's virgin pine forests and destroyed river life as the logs were floated downstream to sawmills.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxASG1FNIehKMqUEqRiZYna8YCkc-aUJEtygMB3PCjrwvMZzL-0raD0iFtTwoqYsOpmqRBjK90ym2OPSsNcLlu3DPojhLwOyHooGIA5rVABvk-wEvEcStA5RJyuL9xXDv1T5fdNdrCMk/s1600/A+Promise+to+Love.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxASG1FNIehKMqUEqRiZYna8YCkc-aUJEtygMB3PCjrwvMZzL-0raD0iFtTwoqYsOpmqRBjK90ym2OPSsNcLlu3DPojhLwOyHooGIA5rVABvk-wEvEcStA5RJyuL9xXDv1T5fdNdrCMk/s320/A+Promise+to+Love.jpg" width="206" /></a>On the opposite side of the table, you have <a href="http://www.serenabmiller.com/" target="_blank">Serena Miller's</a> <i>A Promise to Love</i>, which releases the beginning of October:<br />
<br />
<i>Ingrid Larsen, a young Swedish immigrant, arrives in Michigan in 1871 to
search for her brother who has disappeared into the woods to work the
dangerous lumber camps. Destitute and barely hanging on to hope, she
encounters a newly-widowed farmer who is struggling to raise five
children on his own. Marriage would solve both of their problems, and so
Ingrid proposes to a man she barely knows. She will fight to protect
her new family--but the hardest battle of all will be winning the heart
of her new husband.</i><br />
<br />
You may wonder why I expect Serena Miller's novel to be opposite of Jody Hedlund's. After all, both have the same setting and contain a search through Michigan logging camps for lost siblings. But I expect Miller's novel to have a sweeter flavor than Hedlund's. Miller's already written one book set during Michigan's logging boom. It's called <i>The Measure of Katie Calloway</i> (<a href="http://makinghomeworkblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-measure-of-katie-calloway.html" target="_blank">I reviewed it here</a>), and it was full of realistic yet quaint pictures of life in a Michigan lumber camp. <br />
<br />
While Miller doesn't ignore the debauched lifestyle loggers often lived, she creates a rather wholesome lumber camp that offers safety rather than danger in the <i>Measure of Katie Calloway</i>. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Hedlund's novel looks at the debauched lifestyle that often went along with logging. It contains a bitter fight for morality in a world that is blatantly immoral and also looks at the large-scale picture of logging. Miller's last novel looked at a very specific logging camp.<br />
<br />
<b>Conclusion:</b> Since I'm terribly fascinated with Michigan's logging history, I personally think everyone should read <i>both</i> these novels. But if you have to pick between them, I'd base my choice on the type of novel you like reading. For fans of sweet, gentle stories choose either the <i>Measure of Katie Calloway</i> or <i>A Promise to Love</i> by Serena Miller. If you like action-filled scenes and lifelike, flawed characters, then I'd go with <i>Undending Devotion</i> by Jody Hedlund.<br />
<br />
<b>Have any of you read these books? I'm curious to know your thoughts and whether you enjoyed the backdrop of Michigan's logging boom? </b>Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-31997387877476055712012-09-13T00:00:00.000-05:002012-09-13T00:00:11.528-05:00Throwing in the Towel<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes, the solution to a parenting problem can be as
easy as looking at the problem from a different angle. As parents, we often get
hung up on enforcing a solution that causes angst to both child and parent when
there might be a better way of accomplishing the same thing. Here’s a personal
example:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every time I passed the hall bathroom, which served both our
guests and our children, a hand towel would be on the floor. This drove me
crazy with a capital C. The kids—being only in the beginning of the civilizing
process—would simply yank the towel off to dry hands and then toss it in the
direction of the towel rack. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two youngest children simply couldn’t reach the towel
rack, so I told them to put the towel on the sink and I would come by later and
re-hang it. No amount of correction made a lasting change. It seemed that I was
destined to lose this battle, one that was increasingly grating on my nerves. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiWOCDD33Q5uvicsz_w_y275ZjoRocQRsCHw6Mf3-q-3a7moGsU-pbYDTxwzb4uQOPlR4hT1vUIMU_HVcku141OPYxKlthzhH5u3SWZ_7K6_CjA8TYB04dk4Zi3FmIxOcbOy8SuNufdw/s1600/towel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiWOCDD33Q5uvicsz_w_y275ZjoRocQRsCHw6Mf3-q-3a7moGsU-pbYDTxwzb4uQOPlR4hT1vUIMU_HVcku141OPYxKlthzhH5u3SWZ_7K6_CjA8TYB04dk4Zi3FmIxOcbOy8SuNufdw/s320/towel.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I had an epiphany while looking at the kitchen towel
hanging so neatly on the fridge handle: What if I made the hall bath hand
towels the same way? An hour or so of sewing transformed the hand towels.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, the towels hang nice and neat on the towel rack, and my
blood pressure doesn’t rise every time I walk by the bathroom. The children can
reach the towels and, after nearly a year of use, have yet to yank the rack off
the wall by pulling too roughly on the hanging towels.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Best of all, it was a solution that solved a problem in a
unique way. (Please note that I’m not recommending this approach for behavior
problems.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, for those occasional problems that come our way as
parents—such as hanging up coats after school (consider bins for the coats,
mittens and hats) or keeping library books in one place (perhaps a basket for
each child’s books that’s stationed near the front door)—thinking of a solution
that makes it easier for the child to comply with your request might just be
the ticket to a little less stress in your house.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What are some ways you have solved a similar problem?</div>
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Sarah Hamaker is now a certified Leadership Parenting Coach
through the John Rosemond Leadership Parenting Coaching Institute. She’s also a
freelance writer and editor, and author of <i>Hired@Home</i>,
a guide to unlocking women’s work-from-home potential now available on Kindle.
Her stories have appeared in <i>Chicken Soup
for the Soul</i> books. Sarah lives in <st1:state>Virginia</st1:state>
with her husband and four children. Visit her online at <a href="http://www.sarahhamaker.com/">www.sarahhamaker.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sarah Hamakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069058366994390856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-48774857140341981012012-09-10T06:25:00.001-05:002012-09-10T06:25:18.278-05:00Homemade Canned Salsa Recipe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_Zfo_Zkz-oymYCg47WSaAm3xIF_qqR9D4M3P8rHK-2c6rbCLRPWuyXMEnKv9WPoHbakAM7c34-7q6K8NfdfoI4EN_myYGsNJuT6SABScQLKH7-rpEi0JyXKYrQ_LJu_GmR4HVWIKk4c/s1600/file0001247898187.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_Zfo_Zkz-oymYCg47WSaAm3xIF_qqR9D4M3P8rHK-2c6rbCLRPWuyXMEnKv9WPoHbakAM7c34-7q6K8NfdfoI4EN_myYGsNJuT6SABScQLKH7-rpEi0JyXKYrQ_LJu_GmR4HVWIKk4c/s320/file0001247898187.jpg" width="320" /></a>Every year about this time, we start getting tomatoes from our garden. So many tomatoes, that we really don't know what to do with them. Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches become a staple. (Goodness, is there a difference between a BLT with a hothouse tomato and a BLT when the tomato and lettuce come from your own garden!) Plus we put up a few plain tomatoes for use in spaghetti sauce and chili and the like. But the main thing we do with our tomatoes? MAKE SALSA!<br />
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If you've never canned homemade salsa before, I encourage you to try it just once. Salsa can be so expensive to buy from the store, and nothing tastes quite as good as the flavor of your own garden-fresh peppers and tomatoes in your salsa.<br />
<br />
After trying different salsa recipes for the past few years, I've settled on one that I like. It contains lime juice, where most salsa recipes call for only vinegar, and more sweet peppers than most salsa recipes recommend, but my family really loves this recipe.<br />
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<b>8 cups of tomatoes, blanched, peeled, chopped, and partially drained</b><br />
<b>2 cups sweet peppers</b><br />
<b>3 mild peppers</b><br />
<b>Hot peppers to taste</b><br />
<b>6 gloves minced garlic</b><br />
<b>1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro</b><br />
<b>1 large onion</b><br />
<b>3/4 cup apple cider vinegar</b><br />
<b>1/4 cup lime juice</b><br />
<b>1 TBS Salt</b><br />
<br />
<b>Combine ingredients and heat in large pot until boiling, then
reduce heat and simmer for ten minutes before canning. Pour salsa into
hot jars and seal. Process jars for 15 minutes in hot water bath.</b><br />
<br />
(Notes: Homemade salsa tends to be rather runny, so I drain about half the juice
from my tomatoes and then can it. This makes for less soupy salsa, but
you still get to use the juice, so it's not like you're wasting
anything. Sweet peppers can be green, red, or orange bell peppers, but I recommend you add
some more eccentric peppers to enhance the flavor. We grew wax peppers
in our garden this year, so that's what the majority of sweet peppers
are. And we usually do two versions of salsa, one with just mild peppers for me, and one with lots of hot peppers for my husband.)<br />
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And there you have it! The most delicious salsa recipe I've found. The key to this salsa is the sweet peppers, garlic, cilantro and other things you add to the salsa to give it extra flavor. Once you've got a good flavor base, add the hot and mild peppers all you like. Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-79731196222790677332012-09-03T00:00:00.000-05:002012-09-03T00:00:07.392-05:00Schooling the Cowboy: A Glimpse at the StoryNow that I've introduced you to my second novel, Schooling the Cowboy, a couple weeks ago. I wanted to let you meet the characters.<br />
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My hero, Luke Hayes, will be played by the stunningly handsome Paul Walker:<br />
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(Did you all just drool when you saw that picture? I sure did!)<br />
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Anyway, Luke is a rancher, through and through. He loves spending time on the wide open prairie, with the wind in his face, the sun on his back, and clear mountain air filling his lungs. In short, the Luke Hayes likes living here:<br />
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And the last thing he wants to do is travel someplace like here:<br />
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But travel to New England, he does, and he's none to happy about it. He wants to get out of the stuffy, citified town of Valley Falls, New York just as quickly as he can. Unfortunately he doesn't understand quite how much responsibility his late grandfather has left him. Not only does Luke inherit a slew of money, a massive estate, and a giant insurance and accounting company with over a dozen branches on the East Coast; he also inherits this:<br />
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A girls preparatory school on the brink of closing due to poor enrollment and lack of funds.<br />
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As far as Luke is concerned, he may as well just close the school down and be done with it, anything to get him back to his beloved ranch.<br />
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And so now we meet the heroine, Miss Elizabeth Wells, who will be played by the adorable Amy Adams:<br />
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Elizabeth Wells is the daughter of an esteemed local politician and the mathematics teacher at Hayes Academy. She's spent six of the past eight years earning a mathematics degree that the rest of society doesn't think a woman should even bother with. Then she's spent the last two years teaching at Hayes Academy.<br />
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Elizabeth's family isn't very fond of her teaching dreams. They'd much rather see her married to a rich, public figure who will help advance her own father's political career. <br />
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So Elizabeth is used to fighting for women's education. And she's not about to let some backward cowboy like Luke Hayes close down the school where she teaches just because he's anxious to return to back Wyoming.<br />
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And boy, oh boy, do sparks fly as Elizabeth and Luke hash out their battles over the school.<br />
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<b>Do any of you have thoughts about this story? Does something strike you as interesting? Boring? Different? I'd love to hear your ideas. </b>Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-27240616364741695182012-08-30T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-30T00:00:10.905-05:00Tips for cooking Stir Fry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfG-HbimxovvGADI_nIcfDC4nfqA7YFfHed3yzQkzgwHKA-uT390ZpIlfLQS9uOvOBXe_0XMczvSoec4kn0Q2zUwJG1qXU8STtODWNOitilGLi57T2_vrpFKqjTCVU1c1fcuslijvVcc/s1600/file0001063723859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Earlier this week, I introduced you to author <a href="http://ruthaxtell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ruth Axtell</a> and her newest book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Her-Good-Name-Ruth-Axtell/dp/0802406270/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1346011214&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>Her Good Name</i></a>. Ruth is back with us again today, sharing some tips for cooking Stir Fry:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfG-HbimxovvGADI_nIcfDC4nfqA7YFfHed3yzQkzgwHKA-uT390ZpIlfLQS9uOvOBXe_0XMczvSoec4kn0Q2zUwJG1qXU8STtODWNOitilGLi57T2_vrpFKqjTCVU1c1fcuslijvVcc/s1600/file0001063723859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfG-HbimxovvGADI_nIcfDC4nfqA7YFfHed3yzQkzgwHKA-uT390ZpIlfLQS9uOvOBXe_0XMczvSoec4kn0Q2zUwJG1qXU8STtODWNOitilGLi57T2_vrpFKqjTCVU1c1fcuslijvVcc/s320/file0001063723859.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKdSECKiUJvaeuPPfD9hUV1aRpDT01ppxSXaQEaMZ7UvTS02RJ1YSr1hhvJnMkV3w9dkMMSJsmsnjOhxR7I9qJI4cCiQZJ5SX9UNse_fEBZOzr2gAZccH7PLFC5kzWWmd7ow1dLSMhVY/s1600/Her+Good+Name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<i>Stir-frying helps me eat a wide range of vegetables. We’ve hosted a few Asian students in the past few years, and I’ve found they generally don’t eat raw vegetables (as in salad—something I eat a lot of). Instead, they eat barely cooked vegetables which are stir-fried. I don’t have any set recipe and use whatever vegetables I have on hand, or are in season. I’ll use cut-up chicken, pork or beef, or just </i><i>tofu to make it meatless. The secret, I’ve found, is to use a lot of fresh garlic and ginger at the </i><i>beginning. Sauté this in the oil, remove it before it burns, then stir-fry your meat, if using any; take it out before it becomes too dry; throw in your cut-up vegetables and stir-fry a few minutes. Then put the garlic, ginger and meat back in, sprinkle on soy sauce, salt & pepper to taste, and any red pepper flakes in you want it hot. AND, take it off the burner BEFORE it becomes overcooked. The secret also is to leave the vegetables crisp because they continue cooking a while even when you turn off the stove.</i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKdSECKiUJvaeuPPfD9hUV1aRpDT01ppxSXaQEaMZ7UvTS02RJ1YSr1hhvJnMkV3w9dkMMSJsmsnjOhxR7I9qJI4cCiQZJ5SX9UNse_fEBZOzr2gAZccH7PLFC5kzWWmd7ow1dLSMhVY/s1600/Her+Good+Name.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKdSECKiUJvaeuPPfD9hUV1aRpDT01ppxSXaQEaMZ7UvTS02RJ1YSr1hhvJnMkV3w9dkMMSJsmsnjOhxR7I9qJI4cCiQZJ5SX9UNse_fEBZOzr2gAZccH7PLFC5kzWWmd7ow1dLSMhVY/s200/Her+Good+Name.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
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<b>Yummy! I've never thought of using ginger in my stir fry before, but that sounds really good with the fresh garlic. Thanks for the tips, Ruth.</b><br />
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<b>If you haven't dropped by my <a href="http://makinghomeworkblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/interview-and-giveaway-with-author-ruth.html" target="_blank">interview with Ruth Axtell</a>, be sure to do so and enter the giveaway of <i> Her Good Name</i>, which ends Saturday, September 1, at midnight. Now here's a little more about our wonderful guest for the week:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDfCDFk_8DklMR9eY1bKnVlwIigJOZWkgd-XGlQhBY_FgPc_0cAfa3Mj81f3B1MU50MOU1NmZj9hV03AX2wQBMIr1DYp7K4eiQMRAv9MveyH1Puhz4sWrEvy_EtQmQ_sJr5bV3qRIVyQ/s1600/Ruth+Axtell+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDfCDFk_8DklMR9eY1bKnVlwIigJOZWkgd-XGlQhBY_FgPc_0cAfa3Mj81f3B1MU50MOU1NmZj9hV03AX2wQBMIr1DYp7K4eiQMRAv9MveyH1Puhz4sWrEvy_EtQmQ_sJr5bV3qRIVyQ/s320/Ruth+Axtell+%25282%2529.jpg" width="236" /></a><i>Ruth Axtell knew she wanted to be a writer ever since she wrote her first story—a spy thriller—at the age of twelve. She studied comparative literature at Smith College, spending her junior year at the Sorbonne in Paris. After college, she taught English in the Canary Islands then worked in </i><i>international development in Miami, Florida, before moving to the Netherlands, where for the next several years, she juggled both writing and raising her three children. In 1994, her second manuscript was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart competition. In 2002, her sixth manuscript took second place in the Laurie Contest of RWA’s Smoky Mountain chapter. The final judge requested her full manuscript and this became her first published book, Winter Is Past. Since then, Ruth has gone on to publish thirteen historical romances and one novella. Her books have been translated into Dutch, Italian, Polish and Afrikaans . Her second historical, Wild Rose, was chosen by Booklist as a “Top Ten Christian Fiction” selection in 2005. Ruth lives on the coast of Maine where she enjoys gardening, walking, reading romances and gazing at the ocean while plotting her next romance.</i>Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-78611823431761046542012-08-27T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-27T00:00:03.832-05:00Interview and Giveaway with Author Ruth Axtell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKdSECKiUJvaeuPPfD9hUV1aRpDT01ppxSXaQEaMZ7UvTS02RJ1YSr1hhvJnMkV3w9dkMMSJsmsnjOhxR7I9qJI4cCiQZJ5SX9UNse_fEBZOzr2gAZccH7PLFC5kzWWmd7ow1dLSMhVY/s1600/Her+Good+Name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDfCDFk_8DklMR9eY1bKnVlwIigJOZWkgd-XGlQhBY_FgPc_0cAfa3Mj81f3B1MU50MOU1NmZj9hV03AX2wQBMIr1DYp7K4eiQMRAv9MveyH1Puhz4sWrEvy_EtQmQ_sJr5bV3qRIVyQ/s1600/Ruth+Axtell+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDfCDFk_8DklMR9eY1bKnVlwIigJOZWkgd-XGlQhBY_FgPc_0cAfa3Mj81f3B1MU50MOU1NmZj9hV03AX2wQBMIr1DYp7K4eiQMRAv9MveyH1Puhz4sWrEvy_EtQmQ_sJr5bV3qRIVyQ/s320/Ruth+Axtell+%282%29.jpg" width="236" /></a>I'm very excited to introduce my guest for our August interview this month, <a href="http://ruthaxtell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ruth Axtell</a>. I first met Ruth when I joined a group of writers who wrote novels set in Europe, and have since been impressed with Ruth's knowledge of writing and general wisdom about life. She's been very helpful to me both personally and professionally, and I'm glad the rest of you get to meet her. Ruth and I also blog together on a site that caters to Regency Romance lovers:<a href="http://www.regencyreflections.com/" target="_blank"> Regency Reflections</a>.<br />
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Ruth will be giving away one copy of her newest novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Her-Good-Name-Ruth-Axtell/dp/0802406270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346011214&sr=8-1&keywords=her+good+name" target="_blank"><i>Her Good Name</i></a>, to one winner. Be sure to leave a comment at the end of the blog post to enter the giveaway.<br />
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<b>Tell me a bit about your family. How many children do you have, and if they still live at home, how old are they?</b><br />
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I have three children: a son (on the verge of 21); daughter (on the verge of 19) and a son (17).<br />
They were all home for the summer, but two will soon be off to college again.<br />
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<b>Wow! Those are such exciting ages, right on the brink of adulthood. You must be really proud to see your children entering that stage of life. Why did you choose to work from home rather than find a job elsewhere?</b><br />
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For two reasons. I always wanted to spend the early years with my children. I couldn’t imagine missing out on their babyhood. Secondly, my husband had gotten a position in the Netherlands, and that’s where I had all three of my children. It would have been difficult to find work outside the home in a foreign country without first learning the language fluently, and learning the “system.” (Every country has its way of operating). This was also about the time that I decided to pursue writing fiction full-time, and so it seemed an ideal set-up: stay home and raise my children and write historical romances on the side.<br />
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<b>The Netherlands. How fun! That must have been a really neat experience for you and your children.What is the most challenging aspect of working from home while raising children?</b><br />
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Carving out that time for yourself. I remember sitting at my laptop with an infant on my lap and typing at my current WIP. You just learn to find those moments (like nap time) when you can get a few pages written or brainstormed. Then when they go to school for a good portion of the day, that becomes your most productive writing time.<br />
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<b>Ah, yes. I can completely sympathize with the need to find a little bit of alone time. Did you ever get your children involved with your home business? What advice would you give mothers thinking about having their children help with their business?</b><br />
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My oldest son read my first published book (and said, “Wow, it sounded like a ‘real’ book.”); my daughter has been my most valued “first reader” (meaning, I can give her the opening chapters of my work- in- progress and get some quick feedback. This gives me a good indication of whether a reader will like it and be drawn into the story. She has read most of my published books, but now with college her reading time is less. My youngest son just recently tried reading one of my books but I don’t think he’s finished it. My son’s girlfriends have enjoyed reading my books!<br />
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<b>Oh goodness! I can just imagine my boys handing their girlfriends copies of my novels one day. If those poor girls don't like it, what are they supposed to do? Lie and say it was great??? If you're married, what challenges did working from home present to your marriage, and how did you compensate? </b><br />
<br />
After his job in the Netherlands, my husband carved out a business for himself working out of the house, so both of us got used to being on our computers. We sometimes had our own separate offices—even if it meant a corner of a bedroom and sometimes shared a real office. We’d take a coffee break together to chat. But it gave us a lot of flexibility with our schedules.<br />
<br />
<b>If you could start all over again, what would you do differently? What would you do the same? </b><br />
<br />
Hmm. That’s a tough one. My life has changed drastically in the last few years. I’m divorced now and sometimes wish I had not left the working world—or maybe gotten some other kind of training once my children were a little older. I know it’s not too late now. So, I consider myself in transition for the moment, looking—and waiting on the Lord—for where He would have me go next.<br />
<br />
<b>Those transition phases can be so tough, but I'm trusting God has amazing things in store for you and your future. Is it worth it? What keeps you home instead of having an outside career? </b><br />
<br />
It was definitely worth going on this writing journey. The Lord played a big part in my ever becoming published. I went through a 2-4 year period when my youngest child was still pre-school age, when the Lord had me put my writing “on the altar.” When He gave it back to me (with my first published multi-book contract) I knew I had the green light from Him to pursue writing, not just as something that fulfilled me in a way other types of work had not, but also as a ministry.<br />
<br />
Now, I’m at the beginning of a new phase in my writing (the woman who is designing my new website called it a kind of “rebirth,” professionally); I’m publishing under my maiden name, with two new publishers, as well as having a few self-publishing projects in the works for the coming year. My children are on the way to leaving the nest. I am beginning to see my writing career as running my own business in a way I haven’t up to now.<br />
<br />
<b>Ah, tell me about it. There's days I feel like I need a business degree to be a writer, and a early childhood degree to be a mother. Of course, if I spent my whole life going to school to earn these degrees, I wouldn't have time to be a mother or a writer, which are both pretty important to me! </b><br />
<br />
<b>It sounds like your at a pretty exciting (or maybe scary) place in your career. I wish you well, and hope you sell a ton of books with your new publishing endeavors. </b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKdSECKiUJvaeuPPfD9hUV1aRpDT01ppxSXaQEaMZ7UvTS02RJ1YSr1hhvJnMkV3w9dkMMSJsmsnjOhxR7I9qJI4cCiQZJ5SX9UNse_fEBZOzr2gAZccH7PLFC5kzWWmd7ow1dLSMhVY/s1600/Her+Good+Name.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKdSECKiUJvaeuPPfD9hUV1aRpDT01ppxSXaQEaMZ7UvTS02RJ1YSr1hhvJnMkV3w9dkMMSJsmsnjOhxR7I9qJI4cCiQZJ5SX9UNse_fEBZOzr2gAZccH7PLFC5kzWWmd7ow1dLSMhVY/s1600/Her+Good+Name.jpg" /></a><b>Ruth will be back with us on Thursday, sharing a recipe with us. For those of you interested in the </b><b>giveaway, you to leave a comment below with an email address. The contest will end Saturday, September 1, at midnight.</b><br />
<br />
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<i>When twenty-four year old Espy Estrada, an immigrant’s
daughter from the wrong side of the tracks, lands a job in Holliston, Maine’s
best neighborhood, she hopes to attract the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>town’s most eligible bachelor, only to find that catching Warren
Brentwood’s eye is a far cry from capturing his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the 1890 thriving coastal town, the leading lumber baron's son fights his
attraction for Espy. But a church project throws them together and Warren
discovers there’s more to Espy than a pretty face. But when rumors circulate
about her, Warren believes the worst. Disgraced, Espy leaves her family and
hometown for the nearest city with little money and no acquaintances and is
forced to spend the night on the street. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man who heads a mission for the homeless
finds Espy and offers her shelter. Espy finds the true love of God while
working at the mission. When Warren asks her to come back, will she be able to
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Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-42273359745809124582012-08-20T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-20T00:00:04.463-05:00Good News! Announcing the Sale of My Second Novel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Everyone!<br />
<br />
I've been bursting at the seams for the past two weeks, wanting to tell everyone my exciting news but at the same time, needing to wait for details to be ironed out with my publisher.<br />
<br />
Love Inspired Historical is going to publish a second novel from me. While I don't know what the official title will be, right now it's called <i>Schooling the Cowboy</i>. Here's a little more about the book:<br />
<br />
Rancher Luke Hayes has no desire to leave his precious Wyoming ranch, but when his grandfather dies, he <i>must travel to New England to settle the estate and retrieve his inheritance. This shouldn't be a problem. He'll sell everything off as quickly as he can, pick up his sister at her fancy prep school she's been attending, and be back home with his sister before the snow flies. </i><br />
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<i>But when Luke arrives in New England, he doesn't expect to inherit responsibility for a girls school on the brink of closing, or to meet a steel-spined mathematics teacher who's convinced Luke needs to stay out east and keep the school open.</i><br />
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As you may have guessed by the summary above, <i>Schooling the Cowboy</i> isn't related to my first book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-Lady-Love-Inspired-Historical/dp/0373829132/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345406224&sr=8-2&keywords=sanctuary+for+a+lady" target="_blank"><i>Sanctuary for a Lady</i></a>. It's a story that I started writing after I finished
<i>Sanctuary for a Lady</i> in 2011, but before I learned Sanctuary for a Lady
would be published. <i>Schooling the Cowboy</i> has changed a bit since this time last year, but I'm confident readers will love it. It will release either late next year (2013) or in early 2014.<br />
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So to celebrate my news about <i>Schooling the Cowboy</i> getting published, I've decided to offer a free copy of <i>Sanctuary for a Lady</i>. Be sure to leave a comment with your email address below to be entered into the contest. The drawing will close Saturday, August 25, at midnight.<br />
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And on Thursday, I'll be introducing you to the characters in <i>Schooling the Cowboy</i>.Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-82571960704378840432012-08-13T06:57:00.002-05:002012-08-13T06:57:35.222-05:00Garden Frenzy: What Are You Doing with All Those Vegetables? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we hit the middle of August (yes, mid-August already--I know it seems surreal, but the summer has moved by that quickly), gardens everywhere are starting to yield. If your garden is anything like ours, you spend all spring and summer planting, weeding, watering, waiting and thinking: <i>When will those vegetables ever be ready???</i><br />
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Then you wake up one morning, and the vegetables are indeed ready. All. At. Once.<br />
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Suddenly you go from buying vegetables at the grocery store to wishing you could sell vegetables at the grocery store. And the vegetables just keep coming, zucchinis the size of baseball bats and tomatoes that you can hardly figure out what to do with before they rot. <br />
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So now that you have a whole slew of vegetables fit to feed a third world country, what do you <i>do</i> with them?<br />
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At our house, we can. Dilly beans and pickles, pickled beats and radishes, salsa and tomatoes, and just about anything else we can manage to stuff into glass jars.<br />
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As a mom with two little kids, I also realize how much time canning takes and what a chore it can be. So my husband and I usually tag-team the canning. Since he likes to cook, he'll get the brine for the pickles ready, chop veggies for salsa, or do something else to help prepare the food. Meanwhile, I get the jars and lids around. Then we fill the jars together, and while he puts the lids on and processes them, I clean up.<br />
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All in all, it's a system that works pretty well at our house. I realize that every house is different. But one fact remains: Doing all the canning yourself while you take care of kids is TOO MUCH WORK FOR ONE PERSON.<br />
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So don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it be from your mom or neighbor or husband. Having help with canning makes the process go a whole lot faster, and then you've got those yummy, garden fresh vegetables to savor for the rest of the year.<br />
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<b>Question for today: What's your favorite home-canned food to eat?</b>Naomi Rawlingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062776272512858294.post-19762151763903434222012-08-09T00:00:00.000-05:002012-08-09T00:00:03.683-05:00Chores, or How I’ve Stopped Cleaning the House<br />
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This summer, I revamped our household chores, realizing that
it’s high time I stopped doing most of the cleaning around here. With four kids
between the ages of 4 and 9, I had a ready and able army of helpers.</div>
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I sat down and wrote out all the chores I knew my kids were
capable of handling. Then I wrote up specific instructions as to how those
chores should be done, leaving nothing to the imagination. Finally, I mapped
out who would do which chores on what days, putting in what time said chores
must be accomplished. (It’s best to be as specific as possible to avoid
“misunderstanding” when kids are involved.)</div>
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Reviewing the list, I realized nearly every household
cleaning task could be assigned to the children, from washing the kitchen floor
to vacuuming, from taking out the trash to doing the dishes. Once everything
was in place, I called a family meeting and informed the children of the new
chores. </div>
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While not exactly excited about the prospect—although my five-year-old
did do a fist-pump upon being told his job would be setting the table for
dinner—the kids have proved to be fairly proficient at cleaning. Not perfect,
but with gentle instruction and encouragement, they will soon be doing it as
well as any grownup.</div>
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Some parents balk at the thought of having their children
“work” around the house. To that, I say, aren’t your children consumers in the
family? Are they not part of the family? Then they should contribute to the
upkeep of the family.</div>
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If you need more convincing, here are some positive benefits
of chores.</div>
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<b>Chores build
confidence.</b> Just listen to my oldest brag to her friend that she’s “old
enough to do the dishes.” She has discovered that she’s capable of doing
something without assistance, something that contributes to the family.</div>
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<b>Chores build
character</b>, specifically a good work ethic. Being a good employee when they
grow up is started by teaching them how to be a good member of the family
through chores. Believe me, your child’s future employer will thank you.</div>
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<b>Chores build
responsibility.</b> Giving your children the opportunity to serve within your
family shapes their sense of responsibility. </div>
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One final note about chores and compensation: Well-meaning
parents tie chores to allowances, and that can create a world of problems. To
wit, if a child doesn’t want the money, then he doesn’t have to do the chore,
right? Chores are service to the family—if you pay for the chore, the it’s no
longer an act of service. So separate chores from allowances.</div>
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So start handing over more of the housework to your children
and watch their character, confidence and responsibility grow.</div>
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Sarah Hamaker is a freelance writer and editor, and author
of <i>Hired@Home</i>, a guide to unlocking
women’s work-from-home potential now available on Kindle. Her stories have
appeared in previous <i>Chicken Soup for the
Soul</i> books. Sarah lives in <st1:state>Virginia</st1:state>
with her husband and four children. Visit her online at <a href="http://www.sarahhamaker.com/">www.sarahhamaker.com</a>, where she blogs
about working from home.<o:p></o:p></div>Sarah Hamakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069058366994390856noreply@blogger.com2