tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474618353388308142024-03-05T05:00:34.315-08:00Hannah's DayIt's a new day to live in Hope...on purpose!Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-28218382423278980752017-12-27T20:45:00.004-08:002017-12-28T18:05:42.190-08:00Looking ahead...<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">š I'm glad I saw this reminder and encouragement. Offense sucks. All these things do actually (hurt, rejection,betrayal, disappointment, failure). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My journey of learning to not hold these things as I move forward has been a theme in my whole life, but was made extremely tangible when my Dad died. Mom gave me a poignant piece of advice after he died, and I do my best to live it out, "keep a short list my sweetie." Meaning, don't keep record of those who wrong you, offend you, hurt and betray you. Extremely hard to do in my experience especially in times I feel justified. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">2017 has been a year God has shown me that I can choose joy, no matter the circumstances or feelings...deepening the meaning of my Mom's advice 6 years ago. God has used Samuel to show me much of this lesson. Our Heavenly Father promises His joy can be our strength. I'm thinking of all these things tonight as a New Year is around the corner. Obviously I haven't arrived...but everyday is one step closer to "the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." I want to keep learning, loving, and growing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Praying Joy for you in 2018.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Repost @christinecaine </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:13-14)</span></div>
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Link to post: <span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/BdO3suZh53uwTxBB_mCWzUqGzyndEFn9_FIVwk0/" target="_blank">hannahsday</a></span><br />
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-71069441921737399752017-11-21T14:49:00.000-08:002017-12-28T18:02:49.134-08:00Samuel turns 1!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: small;">Exactly 1 year ago, our greatest little treasure and joy came into this world! I have to take a moment to share that day bc it was an amazing experience for me. I love birth. It can change our lives if we let it. Samuel's was the hardest physical feat I have ever been through. Intense. And divine. I am forever grateful to Philip, our midwives Jeanne and Joanna, and my sister, Candace for their love and support that day...and my Mom on FaceTime </span><span style="font-family: ".applecoloremojiui"; font-size: small;">š</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: small;">. That day changed my life and has taken me pretty much a whole year to process. Recovery was hard, those early days were hard. But man, I barely remember the struggle when my boy smiles at me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: small;">It's been the coolest, most challenging, beautiful, experience of my life becoming a Mother. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: small;">Samuel Jonathan Day, you are indeed our greatest adventure and joy. Your smile and your joy are contagious. We can't go out without someone stopping us to say how handsome you are, how gorgeous your eyes are, or how smiley you are. You have taught us how to be free and unashamed. Thank you my sweet boy. We love you more than you'll ever know, but here's to a whole life-time of showing you </span><span style="font-family: ".applecoloremojiui"; font-size: small;">š</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: small;">#theadventuresofsamueljonathan #the3littledays #birthwithoutfear #homebirth </span></div>
Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-72922269141787427422014-11-12T14:13:00.001-08:002014-11-12T14:30:01.537-08:00Continuing on the journey...Today I changed a profile picture. Seems harmless and I probably wouldn't normally give it a second thought. However this particular picture was posted at the start of this blog...with my Dad's memory in mind. I started Hannah's Day blog to share my thoughts on grief, cooking, hobbies and really anything in which I could gain my voice back after his death...so it was fitting to have a picture of me and my Dad.<br />
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The last few weeks I've had the thought of changing my picture on here. I wanted it to serve as a marker. Then that lovely voice would poke its head and say "Gosh, then you are forgetting. You don't want to forget, Hannah, do you?!" For any of you that has lost someone, whether to death, ended friendships or moves, you've heard that voice too...the one that makes it hard and sometimes impossible to pick up your feet to walk forward because for some reason moving forward is congruent with forgetting. It's a pretty loud voice sometimes...even when it comes to changing a little picture.<br />
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I didn't particularly want to change my picture. It wasn't like I needed to put a new one up. There was another voice I heard, however, the One that belongs to my biggest fan, the One cheering me on and understanding (better than I) that moving forward is the only way to go. This One's voice reminds me that I cannot stand still although at times I need to pause; I cannot go back although it is good to remember. It reminds me that I must continue to on the journey.<br />
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Heaviness fills my heart most times when I think of continuing on the journey because it feels like the further forward I go the further back my Dad's memory is. I know this isn't the truth, but it is a very strong feeling that I can't shake sometimes. Continuing the journey, differently than you imagined when you started, it very hard. It takes courage from the depth of your soul. Courage to face the next joy. I say joy because when you've lost someone, at least what I'm finding, is it takes more courage to face joy because that means you have to push through that voice that says, "You can't really find joy if you're Dad's not here to enjoy it with you." <br />
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I'm finding in this season (especially) that my Mom's words ring true, "It isn't an either/or thing, it needs to be both/and."<br />
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She's right. Continuing on doesn't mean choosing between moving forward <i>or</i> keeping my Dad's memory close. Doing one does not negate the other although that voice would like us to think so! No. Continuing on the journey means I get to choose moving forward <i>and</i> holding my Dad close. Maybe the first step of continuing on the journey is changing a profile picture. Further still, maybe continuing on the journey will one day be growing our family or moving to a new home that Dad was never in. Each step being a feat to face and victory to overcome with more and more freedom on the other side of both. I can have both/and - choosing to move forward <i>and</i> having joy can be my option. <br />
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So...I'd like to choose that one please...continuing and joy.<br />
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<br />Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-16774449212602866682014-11-11T11:38:00.002-08:002014-11-11T13:52:42.308-08:00Persimmon Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Today is the second time in three weeks that I've made these bad boys! They will delight your taste buds so I thought I'd share the recipe. These delicious treats made their way into my family when I was in high school when my Dad decided to start baking -- One day I got home from school during the holiday season it look like the kitchen had exploded with cookies and treats! It was awesome!</div>
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Two weeks ago was my first go at making these myself and they will now become a regular Fall/Winter treat! Enjoy the recipe as I got it from my Dad and he probably got it from who knows where...but it's in my family cookbook now so try it for yourself and enjoy them during the holidays :-D</div>
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<b><u>Persimmon Cookies</u></b></div>
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1 cup sugar</div>
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1/2 cup butter</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1 tsp baking soda</div>
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1 cup persimmon pulp (I scooped the insides out of the skin and stuck it in a blender - easy peasy)</div>
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2 cups flour (white or wheat work; I've done 1 cup white and 1 cup wheat...if you have wheat you're trying to get rid of, use it! Works great!)</div>
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1/2 tsp ground cloves</div>
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1/2 tsp cinnamon</div>
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1/2 tsp nutmeg</div>
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1 cup raisins</div>
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1 cup chopped nuts (optional)</div>
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Cream butter and sugar. Add egg. Dissolve soda in persimmon pulp (it'll harden a bit, that's fine) and add to butter mixture. Mix well. Add dry ingredients, raisins and nuts -- pic below. Drop by spoonfuls onto a greases cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10 mins or until lightly brown. Smaller cookies work great for this!</div>
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-67570496785266887852014-11-03T10:59:00.000-08:002014-11-03T10:59:22.540-08:00You Are HereI came across this song today...incredible reminder of being present in the now...you are here.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thewailinjennys.com/discography/#you-are-here" target="_blank">You Are Here - The Wailin' Jennys</a></h3>
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You Are Here</h4>
You wonder why you wonder when<br />
You wonder how now and then<br />
How you became who youāve become<br />
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You are here<br />
And yet you dream of being there<br />
Of being where you think the good life has begun<br />
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Every darkened hallway<br />
Every fallen dream<br />
Every battle lost and<br />
Every shadow in between<br />
Will bring you to your knees and<br />
Closer to the reason<br />
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And thereās no making cases<br />
For getting out or trading places<br />
And thereās no turning back<br />
No you are here<br />
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Who can say who made the choice<br />
In the matter of your birth<br />
Who brought about that fateful day<br />
Well you are here and born with fire and desire<br />
Youāre the only one can stand in your own way<br />
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And every broken arrow<br />
Every hardened smile<br />
Every foolish gamble and<br />
Every lonely mile<br />
Will bring you to your knees and<br />
Closer to the reason<br />
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And thereās no making cases<br />
For getting out or trading places<br />
And thereās no turning back<br />
No you are here<br />
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And every sign of love<br />
Every seed thatās growing<br />
Every sweet surrender<br />
To that silent knowing<br />
Will bring you to your knees and<br />
Closer to the reason<br />
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And thereās no making cases<br />
For getting out or trading places<br />
And thereās no turning back<br />
No you are hereHannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-67023407222630392002014-10-21T12:50:00.001-07:002014-11-12T13:16:41.010-08:00Another Anniversary<div>
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Today marks another anniversary. Year 3.</div>
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Sometimes I sit and wonder if this is real life. Did Dad actually die? Has it really been 3 years?<br />
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Questions regularly fill my mind, especially this time of year, but my grief is different these days. My heart less heavy, my mind less distracted by the realization that he is indeed gone. Never feeling "better now," but feeling more "okay" with each passing day.<br />
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Today I don't really want to be on my phone or on social media as I want to be <i>in</i> this day myself. Please don't confuse that with thinking that I want to be alone! No, I just want to be with my own thoughts and self today. The last 3 years I've felt this, a little bit...but this year it's really all I want to do - to find a spot and sit with my Dad and myself. To be.<br />
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Today is different for me too because in this journey of moving forward, I find myself being okay with not posting a picture of my Dad out of remembrance. Strangely it's partly to do with not having any new photos of him. I know this is part of moving forward. It's always a struggle for me not to feel guilty in moving forward. Thankfully, to combat the guilt I can always go back to my Dad's very words, "Keep living life! Do not stop!" I am blessed to even have a video message of him saying it to me...to us.<br />
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I am grateful of all the friends and family that join me in celebrating my Dad's life, especially today, but really most days.<br />
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Today I hold grief and hope in both hands.<br />
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Today, and every other day, I remember my sweet Papa, his legacy, and the brave choices and love he lived.<br />
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Today I choose to keep moving forward and being okay, knowing I'm actually honouring my Dad.<br />
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Today I am blessed that I <i>get</i> to feel the great loss his absence is in my life. Yes, I get to feel it.<br />
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Today I see all the hard work I've sewn in coming to this place of "okay-ness." Not "better," but "okay."<br />
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Today I continue to choose to be thankful no matter the circumstances.<br />
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And today, when I think of my blessings, I count my family twice.<br />
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October 21st will always be my special day, just me and my Daddy.<br />
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Enjoy this video we had at Dad's memorial service. And as always, if you have a memory of my Dad, please be free to share it in the comment section below. I love hearing how he's touched other peoples' lives.<br />
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<br />Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-52102950899172277982014-10-19T17:09:00.002-07:002014-10-20T16:10:32.733-07:002014 Family Pictures<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUcgAJy5kHP5m5VFooPFfsTLZKDh610GU7QSqlImeUcGbLx_0SWHzM9xBkCEwZIrvS2K4apl-mWx7AMJlqfgmL4ynQYpaGaoRvQrWa3xxZvdjAXIPVl4LCdgEMfhgjpcoP0FCGPMSxvg/s1600/Day-5259-3612773595-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUcgAJy5kHP5m5VFooPFfsTLZKDh610GU7QSqlImeUcGbLx_0SWHzM9xBkCEwZIrvS2K4apl-mWx7AMJlqfgmL4ynQYpaGaoRvQrWa3xxZvdjAXIPVl4LCdgEMfhgjpcoP0FCGPMSxvg/s1600/Day-5259-3612773595-O.jpg" height="320" width="213"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stpaulphotoco.com/" target="_blank">St Paul Photo Co.</a></td></tr>
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I am so excited about pictures! A few months back Phil and I decided we wanted to take new family pictures since the last time he and I did them was our engagement pictures, 4 1/2 years ago! I am excited to share these and the beautiful work of <a href="http://stpaulphotoco.com/" target="_blank">Ashley Rick at St Paul Photo Co.</a> She was amazing during the shoot and I recommend her for any setting :-)<br>
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Here you go!</div>
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<a href="http://smu.gs/1qNT7wI">http://smu.gs/1qNT7wI</a></div>
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-81569533997154437712014-10-12T17:15:00.000-07:002014-10-19T17:16:05.810-07:00People of Promise<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FYqI4oXyFltmKogasCV3dV9P0xk9m4zRUwUQMhwvUnI3PORx-6L-feXydbERW_8g951RkWY0AOTiD17lBEO4luk9HGSO4mKtGanvyWRP0-CuKW0465OuX6IXt9qzegft9GjgIfjFn9c/s640/blogger-image-1097629128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FYqI4oXyFltmKogasCV3dV9P0xk9m4zRUwUQMhwvUnI3PORx-6L-feXydbERW_8g951RkWY0AOTiD17lBEO4luk9HGSO4mKtGanvyWRP0-CuKW0465OuX6IXt9qzegft9GjgIfjFn9c/s320/blogger-image-1097629128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by the lovely Becca Pleuler</td></tr>
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<br />
I had the honour of speaking at church a few weeks ago. Here is the sermon if you'd like to have a listen. You can listen online or download for later.<br />
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Be encouraged! :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.zimmermancommunitychurch.com/sermons/6-year-anniversary/" target="_blank">People of Promise - Hannah Day</a>Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-16901019785185356542014-08-19T16:30:00.000-07:002014-08-19T16:31:30.593-07:00God Is Not A Sleep Number Bed<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkLF99b4aMROUK9_Ais7k2yHqBuNMZ4jZ-iV77GHv8cdB1FxaJVaVvIXtLzUHas4XK9QIcePNZYakrZbm5FxILYXy5J8EA0AA0hIUkRDb8fgt9sRAZJ9xkYkmYwhLYXT212cW1dRMDJk/s1600/Phil's+sermon+august+10,+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkLF99b4aMROUK9_Ais7k2yHqBuNMZ4jZ-iV77GHv8cdB1FxaJVaVvIXtLzUHas4XK9QIcePNZYakrZbm5FxILYXy5J8EA0AA0hIUkRDb8fgt9sRAZJ9xkYkmYwhLYXT212cW1dRMDJk/s1600/Phil's%2Bsermon%2Baugust%2B10%2C%2B2014.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Elizabeth Dipprey</td></tr>
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Last Sunday, August 10th, Philip had the privilege of preaching at our church, Zimmerman Community Church. This time when he spoke, he preached on something God has been putting in his heart...and if you read my previous post about <a href="http://hannahsdayblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/growing.html" target="_blank">Growing</a>, there is a similar theme in the season God has been bringing Phil and I both through.<br />
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I want to share his sermon entitled, <a href="http://www.zimmermancommunitychurch.com/sermons/uncomfortable/" target="_blank">"Got Is Not A Sleep Number Bed,"</a> with you. Be encouraged. Be challenged. Keep pursing Jesus even when it gets uncomfortable! Enjoy :-)Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-6008190343791035182014-06-07T19:25:00.003-07:002014-06-07T19:33:45.102-07:00Passing Through<style>
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Tomorrow marks 3 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The day after Mom and Dadās 31<sup>st</sup> Anniversary.<br />
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3 years since my family received news that would change our
lives and our dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe itās
because I have time to think today, on a day off, but I feel this day the last
2 years has come and gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
this year, I have time, or maybe space, to remember.</div>
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I want to remember that Skype call we received June 8<sup>th</sup>,
2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Philip, John-Michael,
Candace and myself with my Mom and dear friend Rob on the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shared the heart stopping news with
us and if there were ever a moment in my life of shock and time ceasing to
move, it was that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Wait, my Dad has been given 6-12 months to live? My Dad. No.
He has to meet my kids! He canāt die! Is this really happening?<br />
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Those were the majority of my thoughts in that moment. In
the next, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, āPeace, Hannah girl. Peace.ā And my mind
slowed and I allowed the tears to come. Our dear friend Rob sang over us before
we left and then, the four of us, alone in a small office, cried and held each
other.<br />
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I tell people often that never in my life would I choose to
have this in common with anyone. I would never even wish this on my fiercest
enemy.<br />
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Grief is a lonely road. Very few choose to journey it with
you. Since that day, 3 years ago, I have experienced the greatest loneliness,
deep in my soul. I have had nights of sobs and days of pain. Although I will
never say, āOkay, Iām better now,ā I will say the intense pain and sorrow does
get lighterā¦but never leaves. I would never choose for it to leave if it means
I would stop having capacity to relate to the brokenhearted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus knew this pain and sorrow the
best, and I desire with my whole soul to be like Him.<br />
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I wish I never had to say bye to my Dad. I wish I never had
to experience this degree of pain and heartbreak. I wish a lot of things these
last 3 years, but I am always, always reminded of what a friend spoke to me
shortly after my Dad died. She reminded me of Psalm 23, one of my favourite
Psalms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pointed out something
I had never recognized before in the valley of the shadow of deathā¦we must pass
through.<br />
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Not long ago I found a video of my Dad shortly after he was
diagnosed with stage 4, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inoperable,
metastasized cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said,
āKeep living!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donāt stop because
of the news we have received. Keep living life to the fullest!ā<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a brave man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, I have faced other
challenges in which I have felt pressured to stop or dwell on the hardshipā¦but,
I remember what my Dad said, and choose to keep living and moving forward.<br />
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Iām not sure if my Dad knew it when he said it, but when he
told us to keep living and keep running the race, I think he also meant what
Psalm 23 says, for us to pass through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do not get stuck or stop. Do not go around. But pass through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it is in the āpassing
throughā that we have the opportunity to see Jesus in more of His glory. In our
deepest pain, he never wants us to go around or ignore it, but to pass
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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As I say over and over again, never would I have chosen this
journey. However, it has been in this journey that I have seen Jesus blessing
the poor in spirit and the brokenheartedā¦only this time it is me.</div>
Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-78195587805348147942014-05-20T12:00:00.000-07:002014-05-20T12:00:00.190-07:00Growing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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After writing my <a href="http://hannahsdayblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/living-on-purpose.html" target="_blank">last post</a>,
I've started thinking of growth and what growing means and looks like.
I'm realizing that we choose whether we will grow or not. I am very
grateful that I have chosen growth over stagnation in my life. That
doesn't mean I haven't had (plenty) moments of stagnation, but I am
beyond grateful that the Holy Spirit has got my attention before
stagnation becomes too comfortable. Phil and I are finding ourselves in
a season of this together. Facing the choice of whether to grow, or
stay.<br />
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I had a friend in high school who used to
say, "Hannah, your comfort zone is being uncomfortable!" My, how I wish
that were still true! As an Missionary Kid I think it's easy to find
myself thriving in uncomfortable situations...it becomes normal (and all
MKs reply, "Here here!"). I am learning however, with age, it is easy to
become comfortable with, well, comfort. I've been living in America for
9 years now. I can't believe it. That's 9 years of consistent
American addresses and driver's licenses. I have found myself getting
comfortable with comfort. I have my life; it's stable, with a great
husband, a wonderful church family, family living close by, buying a
business (more later), and my Mom is thriving. I'm comfortable!<br />
<br />
I'm
not saying that those things are wrong or bad, having a stable and
wonderful life is great! But I find the older I get that it's easier to
stay than to go, it's easier to continue routine than to be somewhat
spontaneous, and it's easier to remain the same rather than growing.
Growing takes outside pressure, good or bad, to cause a reaction within
us. We choose whether we want that reaction to be good or bad. When my
Dad died, I had a choice...and continue to have a choice. I can choose
to remain angry (yes, Joyful Hannah was angry for quite some time!), or
I can choose to grow. Said differently, I can choose to pick up my
cross and die daily, or not. <br />
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It always takes time to
grow but the best place to start is by consciously choosing to grow. It takes a
choice...and a lot of hard work and humility. I don't want to get too
comfortable that I stop growing, no matter how old I get. I want to
pursue excellence and God's call for my life no matter how uncomfortable
it may get. I want to die daily...after all, isn't that being like
Jesus? I want to be like Jesus so badly...more than I want to be
comfortable! So I choose to change, or stay the same, whichever allows
space in my heart to grow and become more like Jesus.Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-66279512159135929492014-05-15T09:22:00.002-07:002014-05-15T09:22:40.085-07:00Grief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Seeing that I have been grieving one thing or another for most of my life, this is a beautiful quote that brings comfort to my heart. I had to share. <br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Grief is neither a disorder nor a healing process; it is a sign of
health itself, a whole and natural gesture of love. Nor must we see
grief as a step toward something better. No matter how much it hurtsāand
it may be the greatest pain in lifeāgrief can be an end in itself, a
pure expression of love."<span class="author-label"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="author-label">Gerald May</span></span></span></div>
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<br />Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-38602041423525355182014-05-13T11:00:00.000-07:002014-05-14T14:30:16.838-07:00Living on Purpose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For a while now I've wanted to write something about being intentional and living on purpose. I've read and re-read, edited and re-edited this post several times. Last week even, I got another nice encouraging kick in the pants after reading a <a href="http://wearetheprams.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/ive-become-very-choosy-2/" target="_blank">friend's blog</a> about a similar topic...so, finally, here are some thoughts...hopefully some clear thoughts :)</span><br />
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Sometimes, being the one in a different season as those around you can be really hard. Loneliness is not uncommon nor feeling the need to compare oneself, regularly. Sometimes you have days of feeling confident and fulfilled, but then someone makes a comment to you in passing or as a joke and it makes you reevaluate the course you have chosen. At least that has been my experience.<br />
<br />
Phil and I, even before we got married, decided to live our lives intentionally instead of allowing life to simply happen to us. We are finding ourselves in another intense season of this choice. This choosing to wait, on purpose, season. Waiting. I think we take for granted all these "normal" life things because in society, it's just "what you do," right? Go to college. Get married. Buy a house. Have kids. I think one of the biggest misconceptions we can have is that we are out of control in regards to the timing of our lives. Clearly said, many of us feel we don't have control of timing. In Christian circles it is many times stated that "God is in control," and as much as I absolutely agree with that statement I would suggest that indeed God is in control AND has given us free-will to choose what direction to go. Maybe not with every single event that happens in life, but I have found that people can choose when to say yes and when to say no. That goes for life choices...and if you will, timing. Phil and I have learned that timing is incredibly important. <br />
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Phil and I realized this principle early on. We are in control of our response to life and the timing in which we choose to do things. Seeking God on the timing for when things should occur in our life and seeking wise counsel (super important) are huge tips for success, no matter what stage of life you are in. I've never been one for doing something just because everyone else is doing it, or because it's "normal"...and I guess that is a core belief that has permeated all of my life. I want to do things on purpose. To be intentional. I want to intentionally get out of debt and not just hope for it to happen. I want to intentionally do the best I can to create a safe environment for my kids for whenever they come and join us. I want to be intentional about running our business effectively and wisely (more about this later). I want to intentionally invest in friendships and not just hope they grow and flourish. I want to live on purpose. Does this mean everything goes "according to plan"? Of course not! But it does mean that when surprises come, it's not because of irresponsibility but because, life happens.</div>
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Phil and I experienced the pressure of "normal" life early on in our relationship. Since we first started dating we knew we were going to get married...we just weren't clear on the "when" part. Most people would ask, "Well if you know, why don't you just get married then?" We would say over and over again that we're waiting for God's timing. God's timing is perfect and although we like to hurry it up sometimes, Phil and I are very sensitive to what His thoughts are with the timing in which we do things in our lives. Going to college, getting married, having kids, buying a house, owning a business. Although these are indeed "normal" life things, we always want God to have a say by intentionally asking Him what He thinks and how to proceed.</div>
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I am continually reminded of my parents whenever I feel frustrated about living on purpose. They got married and 5 years later had my brother, their first child. They were following the vision and Call God put on their lives to be Missionaries. Do you know how many times people told my Dad, "Um Larry, are you sure about being a Missionary? I think being a Youth Pastor or something would be better suited to you." He was told that A LOT. Seriously, he was told crap like very often. And yet, he and my Mom held to their guns and waited for God's timing and direction. All their friends were buying houses and having kids while they were raising money to go to AFRICA....HELLO?! Who does that? I do not say this lightly when I yell, PRAISE GOD my parents do that! It took perseverance, tons of patience, and continually surrendering to The Lord. That's the kind of couple I want Phil and I to be like. A couple that lives life on purpose and intentionally, always asking God for His thoughts about our lives.</div>
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I love where Phil and I are at in life right now.
Believe me, I am more content now than I have been since my Dad died. I think part of the reason for this is because Phil and I have chosen to live on purpose, and not simply allow life to happen to us. Is it hard? Absolutely! But, when the hard times comes, it's a little easier to get through when we know we have chosen to be where we are at and following God in that direction.<br />
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God wants to take you on this wild ride of life. Choose today to live on purpose. Be thoughtful. Be intentional about living. Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-60513781149560354872014-02-22T16:41:00.003-08:002014-02-22T16:49:20.424-08:00Tortillas<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YfmI5-SQbvVlX_bzQkV3f8ZJ5sVHBkTUYtfNZD5e9QgzHeCznoHKJpneC-LkUUqD8g7aCK3W4f5rfuHKXBbG-7oKN4yNoROmfEVV-mPwEWB90-XRFUpX_RgopWOxXVPpa_2XHcBPRWg/s1600/2014-01-28+17.52.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YfmI5-SQbvVlX_bzQkV3f8ZJ5sVHBkTUYtfNZD5e9QgzHeCznoHKJpneC-LkUUqD8g7aCK3W4f5rfuHKXBbG-7oKN4yNoROmfEVV-mPwEWB90-XRFUpX_RgopWOxXVPpa_2XHcBPRWg/s1600/2014-01-28+17.52.26.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Made Tortillas</td></tr>
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That's right folks, I am now into making my very own tortillas! And can I say they are DELICIOUS! Like, super delicious!<br />
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Philip and I get loads of recipes from our "buddy" Chef John over at <a href="http://foodwishes.com/">FoodWishes.com</a> He is the man! All his recipes are video blogs so you can actually watch him make the foods you are attempting. I highly recommend his blog. I'll post my pictures here and you can jump over to his site to get the recipe. Enjoy!<br />
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<h2>
<a href="http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2011/03/fresh-homemade-flour-tortillas-in-no.html" target="_blank">Chef John's Flour Tortillas</a></h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmwb0-SkzpomaNahiFF89sTIRYVEKR4f3O4I5iDm9dOHOVRTYzNmWq8obcl52g8YNDUCW5N4jXBdW9XiVAOTzWt7xSOm589iEKR7jsYM6cNuiqDHUHmaDNfdOWUHZGf92hJev-PluGuI/s1600/2014-01-28+17.19.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmwb0-SkzpomaNahiFF89sTIRYVEKR4f3O4I5iDm9dOHOVRTYzNmWq8obcl52g8YNDUCW5N4jXBdW9XiVAOTzWt7xSOm589iEKR7jsYM6cNuiqDHUHmaDNfdOWUHZGf92hJev-PluGuI/s1600/2014-01-28+17.19.01.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some optional topping if you make tortillas just to eat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCQ7M7Vq7Okj-kfwrxbcamd-mk0uVi59cJd5ujOz34opgEkgmxIDF9vj4-_IN3PXTz-XC8sidqsy9hf6RGqiCbYYNKIelhQGQGpyyy3t3UM10jLwrYXEgcBfugAhQixdvTb8JeEny0No/s1600/2014-01-28+17.35.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCQ7M7Vq7Okj-kfwrxbcamd-mk0uVi59cJd5ujOz34opgEkgmxIDF9vj4-_IN3PXTz-XC8sidqsy9hf6RGqiCbYYNKIelhQGQGpyyy3t3UM10jLwrYXEgcBfugAhQixdvTb8JeEny0No/s1600/2014-01-28+17.35.05.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makes 8 tortillas</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FyCu1nSUskSBDqVW2Unq-JEKLRwEzYftUyjl9kufGB3px_8KRb6EAfUlUIOZbeoYSekblbwhJCgl1yN6ResUYWB5VySyYy5tY8SRYC5h07z6pifE5HpPHfllkWnouOPjCYcZTV9v9jY/s1600/2014-01-28+17.35.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FyCu1nSUskSBDqVW2Unq-JEKLRwEzYftUyjl9kufGB3px_8KRb6EAfUlUIOZbeoYSekblbwhJCgl1yN6ResUYWB5VySyYy5tY8SRYC5h07z6pifE5HpPHfllkWnouOPjCYcZTV9v9jY/s1600/2014-01-28+17.35.47.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makes 8 tortillas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0pxGyNJDOcJIo11FlKCpAg03TgpvcOvm4cnhThLN5V9tPftHjnM_3t7Q6bP_8X8VjXASO7NFOiaX9BF18c6E7j1UqdASF2adKgJE92mKhuLfFRoVgWWH9ApKlx0v6kKDHFa5yVAr-u4/s1600/2014-01-28+17.41.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0pxGyNJDOcJIo11FlKCpAg03TgpvcOvm4cnhThLN5V9tPftHjnM_3t7Q6bP_8X8VjXASO7NFOiaX9BF18c6E7j1UqdASF2adKgJE92mKhuLfFRoVgWWH9ApKlx0v6kKDHFa5yVAr-u4/s1600/2014-01-28+17.41.49.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cook them on an ungreased skillet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg044dZ_6V0qrDOb5EIjTb2lhM_OnhdoK2giTnCEcjgueYnDXAMLKEKzU4w-sVJU9s32qh2sEXFyyAsddwum5UB8a8CRlAQJ-sNq4JOnSorvM0cZCIqMjgZ9RgLbD9WmU6yiss58GQZLts/s1600/2014-01-29+17.47.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg044dZ_6V0qrDOb5EIjTb2lhM_OnhdoK2giTnCEcjgueYnDXAMLKEKzU4w-sVJU9s32qh2sEXFyyAsddwum5UB8a8CRlAQJ-sNq4JOnSorvM0cZCIqMjgZ9RgLbD9WmU6yiss58GQZLts/s1600/2014-01-29+17.47.03.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And you're done! Yummy!</td></tr>
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<br />Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-37015986991740443732014-02-22T16:05:00.002-08:002014-02-22T16:25:04.408-08:00Homemade Pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-rWVTURxAj6mr3l7auxW8biNf1ddVsp9lByezu3PzQpQFsq1F4rMNbD8iXizAla1Z-bxUVFL2CrOZFda64r_Q37F3VAD3_YwSCaL047ibcktHhnsaxlHuPaKgVJs4cKzQz7FBS9KAVI/s1600/2014-02-09+20.34.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-rWVTURxAj6mr3l7auxW8biNf1ddVsp9lByezu3PzQpQFsq1F4rMNbD8iXizAla1Z-bxUVFL2CrOZFda64r_Q37F3VAD3_YwSCaL047ibcktHhnsaxlHuPaKgVJs4cKzQz7FBS9KAVI/s1600/2014-02-09+20.34.24.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I just tried a simple little pudding recipe from my Real Simple magazine and wanted to share. Very easy and you probably have everything on hand (except agave nectar, but I don't think it's even necessary).<br />
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1 cup milk</div>
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3 Tbs agave syrup</div>
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1/4 cup chia seeds</div>
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1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for flavour)</div>
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A pinch of salt</div>
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Chia seeds expand when wet. Cover your jar and shake. My magazine suggests to chill for 20 mins and serve with fruit, but I suggest to even leave it over night to give the seeds plenty of time to expand. And that's it! All done! I'm going to use raspberries and they were delicious!</div>
Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-57229193704818315562014-01-11T17:03:00.004-08:002014-01-11T17:04:26.404-08:00New Bread Recipe<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0wawVnuKOo6IEbIxaITn_IDigtLbMt48cuxU4ZIChIq-vS2H1dGzialVFvDRXXguqWWTBi9_Dm5pqUopSb1PzJawZcE3fzZ5YXtIH38_AaRzIGbDXs-EsrQbEsrsupuY5ESXrzsDckk/s640/blogger-image--1237127206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0wawVnuKOo6IEbIxaITn_IDigtLbMt48cuxU4ZIChIq-vS2H1dGzialVFvDRXXguqWWTBi9_Dm5pqUopSb1PzJawZcE3fzZ5YXtIH38_AaRzIGbDXs-EsrQbEsrsupuY5ESXrzsDckk/s320/blogger-image--1237127206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have discovered another bread recipe that I like better than my <a href="http://hannahsdayblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/easy-homemade-bread.html" target="_blank">previous recipe</a>. The <a href="http://www.alexandracooks.com/2012/11/07/my-mothers-peasant-bread-the-best-easiest-bread-you-will-ever-make/" target="_blank">website</a> I get this from has too many words so I will give you all the info you need, right from my memory! The <a href="http://www.alexandracooks.com/2012/11/07/my-mothers-peasant-bread-the-best-easiest-bread-you-will-ever-make/" target="_blank">website</a> is really helpful for pictures and the videos at the bottom of the post, so be sure to look at them! Try it and tell me what you think!<br />
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<div>
4 cups flour</div>
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2 tsp dry active yeast</div>
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1 Tb sugar</div>
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2 tsp kosher salt</div>
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2 cups of lukewarm water (1 1/2 cups cold & 1/2 cup of boiling is your best option!)<br />
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I use organic ingredients, but you can use whatever you'd like.<br />
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<u>Step 1</u>- Boil water. In a measuring jug fill with 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of boiled water. Add sugar and yeast. Let sit until the yeast gets foamy...about 15 mins. You can stir if you want, but I usually try and wait until after it foams.<br />
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<u>Step 2</u>- While yeast water is doing its thing, measure out salt and flour into a big bowl and mix together.<br />
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<u>Step 3</u>- a. Pour yeast water into flour after it's become foamy and b. mix.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_onlxZ72j1hT4GlsW9Y7liVtFN8UcqaL-xIr4AoDTF6KDWMrgMxQO9T6u_y8yv3w10XJuBNjoCTu3C6FWNxFaqxHX24PUDdyQqCDZ4AwoFOazH3jn6wSMDmbjnh-lBay80QaGAfdNEb0/s640/blogger-image-493630673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_onlxZ72j1hT4GlsW9Y7liVtFN8UcqaL-xIr4AoDTF6KDWMrgMxQO9T6u_y8yv3w10XJuBNjoCTu3C6FWNxFaqxHX24PUDdyQqCDZ4AwoFOazH3jn6wSMDmbjnh-lBay80QaGAfdNEb0/s320/blogger-image-493630673.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3a</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQH6yBwwMIzOYyeEyp-ppdT52DVX-Kvp8G72d4RGHEhpPpbMhHhL_hsfqfTuQK5mHNZvKes1-rBJrDQ0u0ZQ-83QztBe_mXFNW8qYVi4KevasMPxFurRS69xHrR7LNG28jX7iHzByKp4/s640/blogger-image-1683149144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQH6yBwwMIzOYyeEyp-ppdT52DVX-Kvp8G72d4RGHEhpPpbMhHhL_hsfqfTuQK5mHNZvKes1-rBJrDQ0u0ZQ-83QztBe_mXFNW8qYVi4KevasMPxFurRS69xHrR7LNG28jX7iHzByKp4/s320/blogger-image-1683149144.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3b</td></tr>
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<u>Step 4</u>- Once you have it all mixed together as shown in "Step 3b" cover with a towel. Preheat oven on lowest temp (usually 170 degrees) for 1 minute and then <u><b>TURN OFF</b></u> and simply put your covered bowl into the oven to rise for 1-1/2 hours.<br />
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<u>Step 5</u>- When your bread has risen, you can grease 2 pyrex bowls. Play with the sizes to see what you like. I like using a bigger size than the original recipe calls for because I like my bread cut with longer slices. In the pic below you see I used 2 different sizes and it worked fine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MZhEdGneccpSJcaHqXwxx1eLK7EdobAzyzOZPFY6Z1JLKVAFLl70FNQ3vNiBWioAIJp1uZCUSj22tFYxOf_CapsX8d1hf-0WP50qz5dlWvTdv1Ia7KeRqQFEh98z-UJrWlUTUrQ7ITw/s640/blogger-image--1730219594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MZhEdGneccpSJcaHqXwxx1eLK7EdobAzyzOZPFY6Z1JLKVAFLl70FNQ3vNiBWioAIJp1uZCUSj22tFYxOf_CapsX8d1hf-0WP50qz5dlWvTdv1Ia7KeRqQFEh98z-UJrWlUTUrQ7ITw/s320/blogger-image--1730219594.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 5</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<u>Step 6</u>- a. This is the ONLY tricky part...and it's not that tricky but you'll want to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIyJzkrk8HI" target="_blank">watch the video </a>because my picture doesn't explain it very well. You will use 2 forks and pull the dough off the sides and fold into the middle. Go around the bowl a few times. You can also use one fork and one hand to hold the bowl (my problem!). b. Once you're done folding the dough over itself, divide the bread into half.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafzhbgNuxGcJjHRkwwhq1FRl4JCWe6KiZwV0UYPgLMNXT3XVHbtWUWeU5sfn-OxPVsjRBT1bk6TQeFR1PF8tFUSaCVQZ8S_o7krQiD2OZ0XvOp3tO89WEdyD2kKc45U34dbuYFlshOmE/s640/blogger-image--1615583430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafzhbgNuxGcJjHRkwwhq1FRl4JCWe6KiZwV0UYPgLMNXT3XVHbtWUWeU5sfn-OxPVsjRBT1bk6TQeFR1PF8tFUSaCVQZ8S_o7krQiD2OZ0XvOp3tO89WEdyD2kKc45U34dbuYFlshOmE/s320/blogger-image--1615583430.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 6b</td></tr>
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<u>Step 7</u>- put the bread into your pyrex containers and let rise for another 20 mins. I usually cover them again and put them on the oven while it's preheating to the cook temperature - 425 degrees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzPZkITNhF8PcMPiO3ysYaLHZkFQTioJjGJWKKB-ZxvjXmZcSRGupxZa6jn97ogFpSYr8UZeJ3l_fHsOmmTj90kx2gDsztH2zYjD6RCxF9cprads11_aEf4oEqph2XH_0GvuGXxTxSqI/s640/blogger-image-1230853784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzPZkITNhF8PcMPiO3ysYaLHZkFQTioJjGJWKKB-ZxvjXmZcSRGupxZa6jn97ogFpSYr8UZeJ3l_fHsOmmTj90kx2gDsztH2zYjD6RCxF9cprads11_aEf4oEqph2XH_0GvuGXxTxSqI/s320/blogger-image-1230853784.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 7</td></tr>
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<div>
Step 8- put bread into a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes and then 375 degrees for 17 minutes. And...you're DONE! Yip, all done! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTM2m1t9_ZtfjyKz1wc0VYVWmJLs6baY2gIO51KnemjmHTSjf9z1Ne16CR5Fkc80Iy-jJ2WN-WZFI4pOD87875xVqFYIsiVsPljH8vN5EtwpfgMTzAOV9PSmmufJ9VmEixGuJwtpbNlY/s640/blogger-image-159585744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyDnZLSg431gk51diOeNRI4aMomx73wpt9vVWVuXX_7AYZZ8c02dxiU4Lyo0wNx42KUIp5s2ORMJ-1ybsk5A_b_jOcB-yljwm3fC1RBNfA0mw0pPCX9_aPUGlA6-umU1qVYXDE2x2jrk/s640/blogger-image-496281058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyDnZLSg431gk51diOeNRI4aMomx73wpt9vVWVuXX_7AYZZ8c02dxiU4Lyo0wNx42KUIp5s2ORMJ-1ybsk5A_b_jOcB-yljwm3fC1RBNfA0mw0pPCX9_aPUGlA6-umU1qVYXDE2x2jrk/s320/blogger-image-496281058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!</td></tr>
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-16304296363104110752013-12-19T12:38:00.001-08:002014-02-22T16:10:17.106-08:00Homemade Kombucha<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAVgs6QDb40q9_2JFhhizSchdFXySNdo33NbgUGbaN-vzm9LLYoH2H5SOm1qPxGdOrJNNJY_dJxMRXGj1Ct_-nO7vkpz-wEc3sZfgt3FtDntR3io6tPHecb-fBI7Z1QUuh1nmZr5LIIY/s640/blogger-image-1120116009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAVgs6QDb40q9_2JFhhizSchdFXySNdo33NbgUGbaN-vzm9LLYoH2H5SOm1qPxGdOrJNNJY_dJxMRXGj1Ct_-nO7vkpz-wEc3sZfgt3FtDntR3io6tPHecb-fBI7Z1QUuh1nmZr5LIIY/s320/blogger-image-1120116009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My first go and it looks great! In 5-10 days we'll see how it tastes :)<br />
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My friend Beth at church brought me some starter tea and a scobe (aka - baby). She sent me this website for a really easy way to make it! Kombucha is like bread...the basics are easy and then you can add variations the more familiar with the craft you get. It's fun!</div>
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I finished my batch this morning but ha loads of left over starter tea so I went ahead and bottled some mixing it with fruit and juice (both ideas friends suggested). I'm learning that the main batch of kombucha you don't want to flavour or mess with; let it grow by itself. But once it's done and you bottle it in smaller, ready to consume batches, that's when you can get creative :)</div>
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Here's the link I used from my friend Beth: <a href="http://www.getkombucha.com/kombucha-recipe/">http://www.getkombucha.com/kombucha-recipe/</a></div>
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Explanation of the picture above - Top left: The bottles and juices for the left over starter tea I had; the red coloured juices and fruit I used were 100% Cranberry juice with pineapple, and 100% Organic Pomegranate Juice with strawberries (I cut up the fruit quite small). I only filled about 1/3 of the bottle and then the rest with tea; far right: that's my kombucha batch! I'll let it grow for 5-10 days and then start getting the tea out to bottle with fruit and juice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24y86Nr3hhnpwYlNdcjNEbEwAIEqpSGGx5rmyU9r3CBX0nnIUEn6rF1Dqv-TA_ZQHPt1SJPXMMknxnKkM5BDiSvbtEuatsiO5UNOc3TYwCC1gwI5l85ftgSb0UNWXQMaUBn9JoDKD_fg/s1600/2014-01-25+12.53.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24y86Nr3hhnpwYlNdcjNEbEwAIEqpSGGx5rmyU9r3CBX0nnIUEn6rF1Dqv-TA_ZQHPt1SJPXMMknxnKkM5BDiSvbtEuatsiO5UNOc3TYwCC1gwI5l85ftgSb0UNWXQMaUBn9JoDKD_fg/s1600/2014-01-25+12.53.26.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All my supplies</td></tr>
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Here are some more pictures:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OSlPIOR4W76X_mQOq8cC2l7vLgR8SBw2DdGV7BU5n7qBjQv-uOkewgOERqJ3jsPyxqH9AQ8DI-XIDdMYuSDOPljfLapQSiqfKQeDcgYRl0_vNo1Nmy3fDG_fvBHL10Noe-tXF9gw1SY/s1600/2014-01-25+12.53.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OSlPIOR4W76X_mQOq8cC2l7vLgR8SBw2DdGV7BU5n7qBjQv-uOkewgOERqJ3jsPyxqH9AQ8DI-XIDdMYuSDOPljfLapQSiqfKQeDcgYRl0_vNo1Nmy3fDG_fvBHL10Noe-tXF9gw1SY/s1600/2014-01-25+12.53.15.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "mother" and some scobies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_UHE2YPwUApYhyphenhyphenCbyuFrpILlugppj06n2cpdY-41n_A3lOBIB7xgHP46fPvAop_nMBC2FZuV9c9Fzhv0rXrJHkZdRudpvMYEHYbldEmTiKU2i73mCf9mA0zlGOwnhYiyP-0lpW5XCdg/s1600/2014-01-25+13.27.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_UHE2YPwUApYhyphenhyphenCbyuFrpILlugppj06n2cpdY-41n_A3lOBIB7xgHP46fPvAop_nMBC2FZuV9c9Fzhv0rXrJHkZdRudpvMYEHYbldEmTiKU2i73mCf9mA0zlGOwnhYiyP-0lpW5XCdg/s1600/2014-01-25+13.27.47.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooling my tea</td></tr>
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-84189538759366221712013-10-21T06:06:00.002-07:002014-06-07T19:13:29.478-07:00October Memories; Remembering my Dad<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4Eg5Ws3i3BcqM4IlL5wPxKdNLsWtq-yyd_AvVlYF8k-gtXLL__gdDN5KDTcmOo7sHvRAkWgLRCX3ZWXnolBSAATSA-TiQCEwWkab2VvOc9BbFKILNRmQbaw58yg8jfuJevGjQZdp1Ls/s1600/Laughing+with+dad_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4Eg5Ws3i3BcqM4IlL5wPxKdNLsWtq-yyd_AvVlYF8k-gtXLL__gdDN5KDTcmOo7sHvRAkWgLRCX3ZWXnolBSAATSA-TiQCEwWkab2VvOc9BbFKILNRmQbaw58yg8jfuJevGjQZdp1Ls/s320/Laughing+with+dad_edit.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our last pictures together. August 2011. I loved making him laugh :-)</td></tr>
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Wow...it has been a while! I'm glad to report that my lack of writing (outside of recipes) is not because of anything bad, simply because it was a great last few months of fun summer activities! It is nice to have bright days again :)<br />
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In this post I want to share about my Dad. On October 21st, today, it is 2 years since he passed away. I haven't really been able to talk about it, except to close friends. I want to share what it was like the few weeks leading up to his death. Don't worry...this post won't be morbid. Any of you that know me know I'll have some comic relief! It is quite long, so just a heads up. There may be parts that aren't too clear...I don't have a lot of emotional energy to do my own editing, just enough to get it written down. Sorry if it is confusing; at least I got it out on paper, hehe.<br />
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This time of year is always more difficult than the rest of the year. Weather changing. Less sunlight. Some normal seasonal changes, but those seasonal changes always trigger memories of what my family went through during this time 2 years ago. (Side note- I will only be sharing from my perspective.)<br />
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I am very grateful that the months my Dad was sick and near me, I did everything I could to be near him. I remember thinking multiple times during those 4 months that if he did die (still was an "if" in my mind), I never wanted to regret not being near him as much as I was able. So that was a priority to me. Most days, it was really uncomfortable. What daughter wants to see her strong Dad not be strong? But I never will regret being near him.<br />
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I think it was during this month that I felt the Lord teach me something new about His love. On October 16th, it was Phil's birthday (still is...every year! He likes BIG presents ;)). It was the first day when we actually thought Dad was going to die. I went to Mom and Dad's condo and we called the family because he was really fading...we also canceled a party we had planned for Phil's birthday. Some of you may remember that. It was about 2pm, and I remember we all calmed down after calling the Hospice nurse and worrying that this was "the day," and then Dad started perking up a bit and asked, "So what time is Phil's party again?"<br />
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"Dad...you almost just DIED! HELLO! We canceled his party because we didn't want it to get you too tired and be loud."<br />
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"No. Call people back. We are celebrating Philip! We are celebrating Life. Philip is alive, so that means we will celebrate!"<br />
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Dang. I'm sure one thing Dad loved about dying was people hardly EVER argued with him! Ha. Who wants to argue with a dying man...especially when he's coherent and making TONS of sense! (it's okay to laugh here!)<br />
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So...we called people. However, we were purposeful in who we called back. By this point Dad had lost a lot of weight and didn't look good. For me, it was hard to see him, so I knew it would be harder for people that barely knew him. Phil chose some specific people to call back and re-invite to his Birthday. And we celebrated. The friends we had come were such a blessing. No one acted weird or uncomfortable. Dad sat in his chair and watched us all. And I know, without a doubt, he enjoyed seeing Phil be celebrated so much!<br />
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It was this day that I learned something new about love. It can be very uncomfortable. I remember thinking, "I don't really care if people are uncomfortable being around my Dad. I love him so much I just want to be in the same room as him...even if he looks sickly!" And I felt the Holy Spirit speak to my heart...."Hannah, this is how I am with my kids...I just want to be in their presence."<br />
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Wow. I'll never forget that. I think I even shared that at my Dad's funeral in Ireland. God simply wants to be in our presence because He loves us. My Dad literally sat and did nothing for the party...but I could care less. I sat at his feet, or by his chair, because I just couldn't get enough of him. It was so incredibly hard...but my love for him completely overtook my feels of discomfort and I didn't care.<br />
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I miss that. I know, it's a strange thing to say. I do. I miss just being in my Dad's presence.<br />
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It was after Phil's birthday that Dad started to decline pretty steadily. I still don't remember if I thought he was actually going to die. Silly me? Maybe. But I had never experienced death before. The process of death I mean. Phil's birthday was on a Saturday, and on Wednesday, a hospice nurse (sent by God himself I am sure!) came to check on my Dad. Just routine stuff. It was something she said though that changed me forever. She was talking to my Dad about how he felt...he wasn't eating anything really and us "living" people were freaking out because hey, people are supposed to eat! So we were concerned. She explained to us that when our bodies are preparing to die, it's actually not good to eat. People lose their appetite on purpose. The body knows how to die. Food and drink actually could have the effect of suffocation or drowning. I think this was what started the conversation about dying...which none of us still really accepted.<br />
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She said to Dad, "Why are you fighting so hard?" I can't remember quite what he said, but I'm sure it was around the lines of, "I'm fighting to stay alive"...probably for us and he still felt he was called to do stuff here on earth. What the hospice nurse said next changed our lives. "I know you are waiting for a miracle from God. He is big enough to do the miracle of healing you but you do not have to fight to stay alive." (Some of you are probably saying, "WAIT A SECOND! Yes you have to fight to stay alive!" Hold on a sec and maybe you'll change your mind like we did.) She continued..."We are always told to fight to live, but no one ever shows us how to die. It is okay to die. It does not mean giving up. You are not giving up on God, you are allowing Him to really come through with your miracle."<br />
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Wow. Pause and re-read that. No one ever teaches us how to die. It's okay to die.<br />
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You know what, she was right on. I think, especially in the Church, we think it a failure to die...especially if from a disease because we should believe for healing. Let me tell you, this moment in time set my Dad free to die. It was...beautiful. He stopped fighting...in a good way. He allowed God to be God in a way that he was never shown before but inadvertently showed me how to do. Death is hugely scary...even for Christians who know where they are going! That day, my Dad taught me how to die. I will never be the same. And let me tell you this too, I think of healing and death in a whole new way now too. I completely believe that God heals today, in the present. But I also know that death is not to bad and nothing to be feared. Sure, easier said than done...as you see from my experience. I don't get mad any more when God doesn't heal. I think I learned more from my Dad in his dying than I did when he was praying for a miracle. I know not many of us can say that, and I don't say it lightly. I cannot wait to talk to my Dad one day (in heaven, face to face) and ask him what went on in those last days when he was halfway with us and halfway Home.<br />
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The next few days kind of blurred together...emotionally anyway. I didn't leave my Dad's side for the most part. It was that Wednesday night, when he let go and allowed God to show him how to die, that he asked to "gather the gang." This meant, John-Michael and Candace and Haddie, Phil, and call Uncle Bill and Aunt Joy and Tori. Earlier that week he had also asked for his friend Uncle Mike to come and see him too. And my Dad's brother, Uncle Randy was able to be with us.<br />
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These next few days were especially tender to me...because, whether it's really how things were or not, it felt like it was just me and my Mom and Dad. The hospice nurses flooded the condo in a very non-intrusive way to take some burden off of my Mom and me for administering meds and giving baths, etc. Dad's body started to shut down, but no one really knew how fast that would happen. On Thursday the nurse had said probably another week at earliest because Dad was so strong. It was this Thursday that he still winked at Mom as she walked out the door with "that look" ;) and it was still this Thursday that he grabbed her butt to flirt with her. What an incredible man. <br />
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Let me back up a bit. Wednesday night we put him in his bed (he needed support to walk) and he wanted to talk to my brother alone. I think this is when they said their good-byes. Me and Dad never had a formal goodbye...sometimes I wish we had. You know, to have a single moment that I can know we said goodbye (I like closure). But the next few days I felt we became so close...I became his confidant. We were so similar that I think this comforted him because he knew that I knew how much he loved me. It was almost like we didn't need to say anything because in our relationship we were very intentional about always saying what we needed to. I do remember that Tuesday night (I think) was when I sang for him for the last time. This was really special for me. My Dad always loved hearing me sing...it was almost like he heard something no one else ever heard, so I always loved singing for my Dad.<br />
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I sang my favourite Genny Owens song...quite fitting for what we were facing. And I sang with all my heart...completely fearless. (And I remembered all the words! Ha. For those of you that know me, I am awful at remembering words of songs! Not the best quality for a worship leader, lol.) I sang as though he were the only one who needed me to sing. That is quite empowering. I remember this whenever I am afraid to lead worship...because I know God is the same, He delights in my singing. Not because I'm fabulous, but because He knows where it is coming from.<br />
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I sang,<br />
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"The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear. I don't know the reasons why you brought me here. But just because You love me the way that you do, I'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to.<br />
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"Cause I'm not who I was, when I took my first steps. I'm clinging to the promise that You're not through with me yet. So if all of these trials bring me closer to You, then I will walk through the fire if you want me to.<br />
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"And it may not be the way I would have chosen, when You lead me through a world that's not my home. But You never said it would be easy, You only said I'd never go alone."<br />
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"So when the whole world turns again me and I'm all by myself, and I can't hear You answer my cries for help, I'll remember the suffering Your love put you through...and I will go through that valley if you want me to."<br />
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That night was the first of many nights we all slept at Mom's condo. I stayed up most of Wednesday night with Dad. <br />
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When our bodies are dying, they become very antsy. Dad would be sitting, resting, and in a second be jumping on his feet needing to go somewhere! It was a bit scary because he was hooked up to all his medicine and morphine drip so one of us would always run over for fear he'd accidentally rip something off! I would walk him around the condo. I remember on Thursday morning, it was just me and him, (hospice nurse was just quietly reading at the kitchen table) and we went for a walk around the condo and sat on the futon which was in their office...for a change of scenery. We didn't say anything to each other. Just sat there holding hands. I'll never forget that. We would walk outside for a few moments, then would have to come back in because it would get too cold.<br />
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Now thinking back, it was as though Dad were just waiting.<br />
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In those last days, he would often say, "I need to go home. Take me home." Maybe this was his conscience leaving his body already, but I really know that he meant Heaven. He was getting ready. Wednesday I think God met with him and let him know he was heading Home very soon. So Dad waited. I'm not sure what he was waiting for...probably just his body to catch up with his mind because he was ready to meet His Beloved. (Again, can't wait till I can ask him all these questions). <br />
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Thursday was mostly a blur for me I think. Uncle Mike flew in, and so did Uncle Randy. I had some more tender moments with Dad...again, when it just felt like him and me. I think this is what I most remember of those last weeks. On Friday I went to pick up Uncle Mike from where he was staying and when I got back, Uncle Bill and Aunt Joy and Tori had already arrived. This was the last time Dad made any physical responses; he was mostly unresponsive starting early Friday morning. But when Uncle Bill leaned close and told him he was there, Dad squeezed his hand. This blessed me so much. Uncle Bill and Aunt Joy have been in my life...well, for my whole life. Uncle Bill was Dad's best friend and to see the depth of their friendship, in this last moment, was incredible.<br />
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Uncle Mike helped us rearrange the condo so we could put Dad on the hospice bed in his own room. John-Michael (my brother), Philip and me all carried my Dad from the living room into his bedroom. This may sound weird and maybe even hard for some of you to read, but it was so natural. Who better to carry Dad but his kids? He was so light...the boys took one arm each and I took his feet. I know there is something symbolic in it...John-Michael was under his right side, Phil on his left. Again, even in his dying, he taught us so much.<br />
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For the rest of the day, we waited...for what, we weren't sure. Since the hospice nurse told us he was so strong we didn't think he would be gone just a few more hours...but I really believe it was God's timing. Everyone was there that needed to be, and the Lord in His great mercy allowed the waiting to be just as long as it needed to be.<br />
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Someone was always with Dad. Mom didn't want him to be alone. It was this day that it really hit me that my Dad was going to die. I was exhausted. I tried to sleep, but maybe just dosed. It was hard to see my Dad unconscious. I did make sure that Dad, Mom, John-Michael and me all had time together though. There was some unspoken anxiety that I carried for years that I needed to talk about before Dad left. We did that on Friday. <br />
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At 9:45pm, my Dad walked into Eternity. I think he had probably left a few hours before, but his body was just catching up. The state a person is in while dying is unlike anything else you've ever observed. There is a song I play now because I think it describes the state my Dad was in for these last hours. It's a upbeat song...but I think Dad was excited to see Jesus. Think of it, in the moment of my greatest pain, my Dad got to see Jesus with his very own eyes for the first time. Talk about perspective change! Wow.<br />
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When Dad had passed away, there was a tangible presence of God in the room. It was...beautiful. I sobbed on his right arm...I just wanted him to hug me one more time...to hold my hand. I couldn't let go of his hand. And you know what I miss the most about his physical presence, to this day? His hands and his hugs. I know a part of me died that day when my Dad died. I've never experience so much anguish in my whole life. So much pain. So much loneliness. And the only person who I want to talk to most days when I feel that way is my Daddy. It's hard to describe...but when you are so connected to someone, and they die, you know they are gone...but it doesn't feel like it. Maybe that's what people mean when they say they are in our hearts? Because it really does feel that way.<br />
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We sang after he died. Sounds weird. But Mom really felt we needed to sing and praise God. That is something that God spoke to both her and my Dad through all this...healing comes in worship. Healing didn't happen how I was wanting it to...but we worshiped and sang anyway. It was powerful. I have no idea how we did it. None. But we did. With my Uncle Randy there with us.<br />
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After our singing...the hospice nurse suggested to call the undertaker to take his body. This made me panic a bit. If his body was taken, that meant I had to say goodbye...permanently. I think this was when the little girl inside me started to scream and cry. I just wanted my Daddy. Thankfully we were able to wait for a few hours before anyone had to come get his body. I needed closure. I needed to say goodbye to his body. Even though Dad was no longer there, it brought a great deal of comfort having his body there still.<br />
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I watched the undertakers take his wrapped up body up the stairs and put into the van. They were so respectful. I appreciate that even now. That night before I went to bed, I cried because I had forgotten to have my Dad write in my Bible. I had meant to ask him for months, actually over a year, but kept forgetting every time I saw him. I cried myself to sleep because I realized he would never write in it. It was the little things that struck me...the small things that confirmed he was gone...like I would never have new pictures with my Dad...never see new handwritten notes. Those little things were hard to process. For month actually I had a really hard time going up the stairs at my Mom's condo because all I could see what my Dad's covered body being taken up those stairs. It was always hard to walk into the condo, go into his room, see his chair. The memories would often times overcome me.<br />
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*****<br />
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I know this all may sound so heart wrenching and miserable...but it actually gives me some strange solace in telling all these details. It reminds me that it really happened. I am very grateful and blessed that I had my Counselor walk through this all with me. I don't think I would have gone through it without her patience and listening.<br />
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I feel blessed.<br />
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I know who I am. Dad taught me. I know my Dad loved me SO flipping much! I know that he loved being around me. I know he loved hearing me sing. I know he loved hearing all the cool things God would show me. I know I am so similar to my Dad it's scary, hehehe. I know that I will never have anyone like him in my life again. I know that I am blessed. I know it is good to grieve...outloud. I know it is good to grieve by yourself at times, and with others at times.<br />
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Something God told me after Dad died...and promised me was this, "It's a New Day To Live In Hope." That is where my blog was birthed from...a way for me to live in a new day of hope; by giving myself a voice again.<br />
Although it sure didn't feel hopeful for most days, I held tight to this...It's a new day to live in hope. I pray you get to experience your new day of hope. You may have to chose it in the midst of pain. It's always a choice.<br />
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Love,<br />
-Hannah-<br />
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<i>P.S. I would love to hear how my Dad impacted your life, so if you
would like to share, please comment and share your thoughts. If it's a
specific story you have, or just a thought...I would love to hear it. I
love talking about my Dad and hearing how he touched others :) </i>Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-39151549894088559372013-10-20T18:52:00.001-07:002013-10-20T19:53:21.788-07:00Easy Homemade Bread!<div>
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I did it! I made my very own bread!!!! If only I had tried this sooner because it was surprisingly easy. I'm really enjoying making things from scratch because then I actually know what is in it! I'm glad my first try was today, because I've been celebrating my Dad in the <a href="http://hannahsdayblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-signature-oatmeal-raisin-cookies.html" target="_blank">kitchen</a> today because tomorrow is the 2 year anniversary for when he died. He would be very proud that I just made my first loaf of bread :)<br />
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I got this very easy recipe from my friend Lori who's been telling me for a couple years how easy bread making really is...but I secretly thought she was lying because if she wanted to, she could be a professional chef! Ha! But this recipe is SUPER easy...I'll do it from memory (just popped my loaves in the oven so it hasn't been long).</div>
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Comment below and let me know how your bread turns out because you HAVE TO TRY IT! :). </div>
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I love organic ingredients but I haven't had it in our budget yet so I'm hoping to get some organic flour next month. Just in time for Thanksgiving!!!!!!</div>
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8 cups of flour (I used 4 of whole wheat and 4 of white whole wheat. You can use any kind you want, my only tip is to stay away from bleached and enriched.)</div>
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1/4 cup sugar</div>
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1 package of yeast (I used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Red-Star-Yeast-Gluten-0-75-Ounce/dp/B00473Q9R4/ref=sr_1_3?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1382323973&sr=1-3&keywords=red+star+yeast" target="_blank">Red Star</a>. I have been told you can get yeast in bulk and simply stick it in your freezer for like a year!)</div>
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1 teaspoon salt</div>
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1/4 oil (olive or vegetable...or butter as I just learned tonight!)</div>
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2 2/3 cups of warm water; very warm water.</div>
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In this batch of bread, because I used whole wheat flour, I had to add some extra water to get the right consistency. So you'll have to play with it if you use something other than white flour. My next batch will be white.</div>
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Oven: 350ā¢</div>
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1. Put water, yeast, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Mix together. Then add flour and oil.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e-Fd_vCXoLzQ7ofp6p46o3bRiY9TuitWCyl1lUZ5WbnJq15gezk4pLuYhKe8h41lUrkQVF3GdSCN7-2M9WojbJfuv-Yr7euRoDZjc9FWUR3ygS4TsbU4aFInM9dzFqW6tI6LhirsRAA/s640/blogger-image--1190088359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e-Fd_vCXoLzQ7ofp6p46o3bRiY9TuitWCyl1lUZ5WbnJq15gezk4pLuYhKe8h41lUrkQVF3GdSCN7-2M9WojbJfuv-Yr7euRoDZjc9FWUR3ygS4TsbU4aFInM9dzFqW6tI6LhirsRAA/s320/blogger-image--1190088359.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1</td></tr>
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2. Mix dough with a spoon (or dough hook if you have a kitchen aid mixer) until it is clumping together and coming away from the sides of the bowl.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 2</td></tr>
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3. Put ball of dough onto an oiled counter top and knead it well.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3</td></tr>
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4. Place into an oiled bowl, put a towl over it and let rise. (My friend Lori warms her oven, then turns it off and places covered bowl in to have it rise faster...only 30 mins!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjJMYyq-lABxUUOS7EkMqcBBi-0khoDRXgVr3rB8PD6f9fhP358aozP1e4g8_GfJY_6bceiIPzDKA6bg_2ieUiCSxYhciYqEdf1SN1m_y3xz-NbX91XmbBI08ZkM88_uePPYDVGxkcD0/s640/blogger-image-245686728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjJMYyq-lABxUUOS7EkMqcBBi-0khoDRXgVr3rB8PD6f9fhP358aozP1e4g8_GfJY_6bceiIPzDKA6bg_2ieUiCSxYhciYqEdf1SN1m_y3xz-NbX91XmbBI08ZkM88_uePPYDVGxkcD0/s320/blogger-image-245686728.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My risen bread</td></tr>
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5. After it has risen, put dough onto oiled countertop and knead again.</div>
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6. Cut into half and place either in two loaf dishes or on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u7r0nsx576bYV0d_5ogRUKnKKxGhCIaObXt7QWBD7xHUrPfnnVjEwkxOgqpKEpzVlFdmqkGUa9wDGiIVv4tc3ucKXZS3AUqOSggrA5WuNcUOcs2WIRZnp_3PFpBtGdmYfALEnb-Hq1k/s640/blogger-image--2123158496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u7r0nsx576bYV0d_5ogRUKnKKxGhCIaObXt7QWBD7xHUrPfnnVjEwkxOgqpKEpzVlFdmqkGUa9wDGiIVv4tc3ucKXZS3AUqOSggrA5WuNcUOcs2WIRZnp_3PFpBtGdmYfALEnb-Hq1k/s320/blogger-image--2123158496.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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7. Put loaves onto a cooling rack and you are done!<br />
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-70144052180221686562013-10-20T18:27:00.001-07:002013-10-20T19:44:48.246-07:00My Signature Oatmeal Raisin Cookies<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomorrow is the 2 year Anniversary for when my Dad died (Oct 21). I wanted to do something that reminded me of him and that would also be something celebratory. A few weeks ago the thought of making his favourite cookies came to mind...thus, I made my killer Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Growing up he would always LOVED when I made these cookies so I thought it would be fun to share the recipe :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3/4 stick of butter (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kerrygold-Pure-Irish-Butter-Unsalted/dp/B001LNPHNA/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1382319848&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Kerry Gold</a> is in my opinion the only butter anyone should use, lol! We get ours at Trader Joe's)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 egg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/3 cup milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla (I'm making my own extract an will post on that soon!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3 cups quick oats, uncooked</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup all-purpose flour (try to stay away from bleached and enriched)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon cinnamon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 cup raisins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Optional: 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Heat oven at 375Ā°F. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Grease baking sheet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Combine butter, brown sugar, egg, milk and vanilla in large bowl. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In another bowl, Combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed just until blended. Stir in raisins (and nuts). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drop rounded tablespoon fulls of dough 2" apart onto baking sheet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool two minutes on baking sheet and then remove cookies to foil to cool completely.</span></div>
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-58117563699547688222013-10-19T18:05:00.001-07:002013-10-19T18:54:10.501-07:00Fruit Crisp<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">
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I had loads of apples given to us by our neighbour's friend's apple tree. I didn't want them to go to waste therefore I <i>had </i>to bake something!!! ;-)</div>
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Tonight I made a really yummy fruit crisp! This is another really easy recipe...so easy I made it at night :) I even have some pictures!</div>
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I got this recipe from the best cool book ever...every house should have one, "Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6dtgWJa522IyCmkULk7hftUM2zJUFz3TlwSNtYopYA5BP_Vghzjhp7aGZ59eJPhADiQDQo108bCiMgFHngQTbfUsWkIqLu3uouMcodeanvt70dMNv1VNHgQQjxT5c1a_jAz_HmmRS_0/s640/blogger-image--468012413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6dtgWJa522IyCmkULk7hftUM2zJUFz3TlwSNtYopYA5BP_Vghzjhp7aGZ59eJPhADiQDQo108bCiMgFHngQTbfUsWkIqLu3uouMcodeanvt70dMNv1VNHgQQjxT5c1a_jAz_HmmRS_0/s320/blogger-image--468012413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let's get started:</div>
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Oven- 375ā¢</div>
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<b>The guts/fruit:</b></div>
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5 cups sliced, peeled cooking apples, (or pears, peaches, apricots, frozen unsweetened peach slices, cherries, rhubarb or berries) 2 to 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Note: The picture shows my chunky apples (done with an apple slicer). But I sliced them smaller after using the slicer.</div>
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<b>The glory, aka- Topping:</b></div>
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1/2 cup regular rolled oats</div>
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1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, ginger, or cinnamon (I have an apple pie blend I use) </div>
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1/4 cup butter or margarine Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts or coconut. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuPy_qwumam9QJA5fYLGFv23scU7tLpMDLKUXJJ9T39JcFE14aDtbHbhaEzAw9rEGD8hK8pZU8qCRh6dR2XBLBcPUYLlz_-Oc51YTdhhuM9ygIRnRy7K4RgmAyX01yTatPpRnuDV2FN4/s640/blogger-image--1230444130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuPy_qwumam9QJA5fYLGFv23scU7tLpMDLKUXJJ9T39JcFE14aDtbHbhaEzAw9rEGD8hK8pZU8qCRh6dR2XBLBcPUYLlz_-Oc51YTdhhuM9ygIRnRy7K4RgmAyX01yTatPpRnuDV2FN4/s320/blogger-image--1230444130.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>The nitty gritty:</b></div>
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1. For fruit filling the fruit it frozen. Do not drain. Place fruit and a 2 quart square baking dish. (Or as I did, you can use a pie dish or 11 x 7 dish).</div>
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2. For topping, in a separate bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, flour and nutmeg combination; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs and then stir in nuts. Sprinkle topping over the fruit that's in your baking dish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqliFhxebpVp0iMn8z6Scn8b_cJ3Vx0zO3XHkhkavxK7fjoIYgZz2YQNDPZWWgNYvYp_r-fqwu_-WcyI1sK1RLMtggOn9MyOKH_XM37TIs1Z1U54EEVIuNkVlV08uTIFEIX2jjBjCX9yk/s640/blogger-image--369314646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqliFhxebpVp0iMn8z6Scn8b_cJ3Vx0zO3XHkhkavxK7fjoIYgZz2YQNDPZWWgNYvYp_r-fqwu_-WcyI1sK1RLMtggOn9MyOKH_XM37TIs1Z1U54EEVIuNkVlV08uTIFEIX2jjBjCX9yk/s320/blogger-image--369314646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Bake in a 375Ā° oven for 30 to 35 minutes (40 minutes for thawed fruit) until fruit is tender and topping is golden. </div>
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Serve warm with ice cream! Done and done!</div>
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This recipe makes enough for one dish, but I had so many apples I simply doubled it and made two! No complaints here :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEX8LjPF1euIjjd9-_9SdeDiEr3VmOxRhdzayWaya95fIXchowNTMHdg9gwDK2IW12HsHl6ByGTFLPtPR0b6SpapZst2ueAMO7rEYKAodjq09TYYnkiX9TKDC01eDwy3oMEgT7CSgc-HQ/s640/blogger-image--1268460036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEX8LjPF1euIjjd9-_9SdeDiEr3VmOxRhdzayWaya95fIXchowNTMHdg9gwDK2IW12HsHl6ByGTFLPtPR0b6SpapZst2ueAMO7rEYKAodjq09TYYnkiX9TKDC01eDwy3oMEgT7CSgc-HQ/s320/blogger-image--1268460036.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>All baked and ready to eat!</u></td></tr>
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-18183471857938461522013-10-13T19:38:00.000-07:002014-02-22T16:21:51.830-08:00Coconut Bars/Yummy Bars/Magic Bars/Hello Dolly Bars<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06ndiFaH33ElUPLtxeApwR2r6u5lrlNt63O3F4ZHyjcwejWbfwQGsqSrIcnG1gW3W71caB__PvwCcG9TMHMnyXL1sas4zZlLkIW4TNRbHPiUSO0WdcWhKDFtt_KTkG6g2lPRqJ6st6r8/s640/blogger-image-2020907418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06ndiFaH33ElUPLtxeApwR2r6u5lrlNt63O3F4ZHyjcwejWbfwQGsqSrIcnG1gW3W71caB__PvwCcG9TMHMnyXL1sas4zZlLkIW4TNRbHPiUSO0WdcWhKDFtt_KTkG6g2lPRqJ6st6r8/s320/blogger-image-2020907418.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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These bars have lots of names to choose from! This is my first try at making them but so far they are SUPER easy so I wanted to share :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2VLjFBCYzlLfGAdhqzDU9QBPPukI8bs3eKv-vT_ubs4zDXbDDJkH4ZAJTqYegbJyDmUN92tUn3kwTiS_QiuHv4_3cDXtsx7Mzpp4TmZQdf5A4tkXmUBX-MnSXUlF-7cFSJYtWkCmIXA/s1600/2014-02-17+16.52.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2VLjFBCYzlLfGAdhqzDU9QBPPukI8bs3eKv-vT_ubs4zDXbDDJkH4ZAJTqYegbJyDmUN92tUn3kwTiS_QiuHv4_3cDXtsx7Mzpp4TmZQdf5A4tkXmUBX-MnSXUlF-7cFSJYtWkCmIXA/s1600/2014-02-17+16.52.48.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredients</td></tr>
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1/2 cup butter</div>
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1-1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs (Marie biscuits in Ireland)</div>
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1 can (14 oz) sweet and condensed milk</div>
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips</div>
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1-1/2 cups flaked coconut</div>
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1 cup chopped nuts (optional...I didn't use them)</div>
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Preheat oven to 350ā¢ (325ā¢ for glass dish)</div>
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1. In a 13x9 inch baking pan melt the butter in the oven. Take out and sprinkle cookie crumbs evenly over the butter; Pour sweet an condensed milk evenly over crumbs (or...if you're my Mom, she would drink half and use the other half ;)). <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi3Y2WuxComjHcFFW6g1IlZh_zsFJ0L40oNE48nDuSd_24RXBQbJI-MA9zhGWG1NqJUpexIIUu113ZhX8ouj_EQmOxL4cKCjsE2N1J0ZSxDhv6SYV-X22qdlLL-zhbUGOifmGC0YHTNk/s1600/2014-02-17+16.41.03.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. Graham crackers and sweet & condensed milk</td></tr>
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2. Top with remaining ingredients (chocolate chips, coconuts and nuts).</div>
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3. Press down firmly.</div>
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Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly brown.</div>
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Cool and cut into bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature.</div>
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They taste yummy and are great for parties!!<br />
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Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-9806213100355636692013-05-22T18:10:00.005-07:002014-02-22T16:07:04.268-08:00Cleaning tips!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Margaret Briggs & Vivian Head</td></tr>
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I just got a book yesterday that is blowing my face off!!!!! Phil (my husband), bought me a book when he went to Barnes & Noble. What makes him even sweeter is he bought it with part of his special gift card! Brownie points for him! :) The book is called <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/green-cleaning-margaret-briggs/1103313194?ean=9781435106048">Green Cleaning; Natural Hints and Tips For the Eco-Friendly Household</a>. It's on sale right now so you should buy it! :)<br />
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Now, the environment isn't really one of my passions. I mean, I care about the environment...but I care more about Phil's and my future babies not swallowing poisonous chemicals or being around poisonous chemicals, and I like the idea of Phil and me not being around toxic chemicals too. (It's okay if you think I'm a hippie, I come by that quite honestly (thank you Dad!)). I just love natural remedies and solutions because they don't harm anyone.<br />
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If I could, I would probably re-name this book from something other than Eco-friendly to Human-friendly! That's all this book is...great ideas, using non-toxic ingredients, to clean your house beautifully and efficiently! Plus garden tips...laundry tips...and the list goes on. Seriously, it's fabulous! I already cleaned my hot water kettle this morning after reading the first HALF of this book yesterday.<br />
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Another great thing about this book is it only has about FOUR, yes, 4, chapters! In these chapters it highlights 5 simple ingredients that can be used to clean practically EVERYTHING! (Can you tell I'm a fan?) Vinegar. Lemon juice. Baking Soda. Tea-tree oil. Borax. Salt. Done and done!<br />
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Every time I make a new solution or try it out, I will post it on here for you to read and try yourself. I'll keep back to update them. This book is definitely the thing I needed to have in order to get me on track for making my own cleaning products because it always sounded like too much to me before. I hope you enjoy all these tips as much as I am! Leave comments with feedback if you try any non-toxic homemade cleaners, or if there are any other fun books similar to this that you would like to recommend.<br />
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xo<br />
-h-<br />
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Ps- If you're interested in homemade deodorant (using baking soda) that really does work, check out that post <a href="http://hannahsdayblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/making-deodorant.html" target="_blank">here</a>...and the update on how it keeps working, <a href="http://hannahsdayblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/update-on-making-deodorant-post.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<u><b>Cleaning tips I've tried and continue to use:</b></u></div>
1. Cleaning your kettle: Put 2/3 cups of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=white+distilled+vinegar&sprefix=white+distilled%2Caps%2C375" target="_blank">white distilled vinegar</a> (you can get a gallon at a supermarket for like $5; it'll last a good while!) in with the water and boil like normal. My kettle was really bad with hard water deposits caked on, so I boiled it a few times, rinsed it out, and put in another round of vinegar and water. It looks like brand new now!<br />
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2. Cleaning work surfaces: Wipe all kitchen surfaces with full-strength white distilled vinegar to clean them and reduce bacteria (pg34). Just did this and it works very nicely! I also just read about lemons being a natural bleach...so I'm planning on getting some lemons and getting some stains out on our white counter tops!<br />
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3. Multi-purpose cleaner: 2 1/2 cups of warm water, 1/2 white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda. 1 spray bottle. I would recommend measuring out the baking soda and vinegar and combining those first. Let it fizz and bubble away, then add the warm water. Stir, and then transfer into the spray bottle and wa-la! There you have an all-purpose cleaner. I use mine for my kitchen and bathroom mostly. Be VERY CAREFUL if you spray stainless steal...just make sure to wipe it all off so it doesn't erode. It's a grate cleaner for stainless, but you just want to make sure you buff it off too. Sometimes I add an essential oil such as Tea Tree or Thieves for some extra kick, and nice spell!<br />
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<br />Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-20017013061441325022013-05-22T17:00:00.000-07:002013-05-22T18:22:24.947-07:002 PeterThe part in this weeks reading that really stuck out to me was in <a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2pe.3.niv" target="_blank">Chapter 3</a>. Verse 9 says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient..."<br />
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I know it might be taking it a bit out of context because Peter is talking about the day the Lord returns and His promise to come back, but this part of this verse is really encouraging to me and reminds me that the things God has promised me, happen in His perfect timing. It may seem slow in the natural, like He's just taking His sweet time, but in the supernatural it is happening right when God chooses as the perfect moment. He is patient and doesn't get distracted or rushed. I just love that. He is patient.<br />
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It's a short and sweet Thought this week, but be encouraged that God's timing is perfect, and He is simply being patient to bring things to pass in your life.Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147461835338830814.post-8150573808892092412013-05-18T12:37:00.000-07:002013-05-22T18:25:19.102-07:00ForgivenessForgiveness is probably one of the most challenging, if not <i>the </i>most challenging things to do in life. Forgiveness needs to come from our heads and our hearts. Sometimes we can forgive in our head, but not in our heart. I think when we forgive in our hearts, that is when freedom comes into our lives.<br />
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That is what my journey has been these last few months. Back in February the Lord showed me I had a lot of unforgiveness in my heart towards people and how they treated or didn't treat me after my Dad died. Before February, I had no idea that I even struggled with unforgiveness. I would call myself a very self-aware person. When things come up, I think I do a pretty good job in addressing them in a timely matter and figuring out what the issue is and how it can be remedied. So when God brought this unforgiveness to my attention, I was honestly quite shocked! I don't think I had ever really had to deal with this before. Where do I start? How does one forgive? Do I actually have to forgive if I was the one wronged?<br />
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From that moment, God started me on a journey of forgiveness. It has been one of the hardest things I've ever walked through because forgiveness means you lay down and surrender the fact that you are completely justified in being angry and hurt. It means that you actually have to trust God to have vengeance...not you. It means you have to let go of the hurt that has been caused to you that you now wear as a cloak around you for security. It means you trade that cloak in for one you don't see yet, but one that Christ has offered you.<br />
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Anyone who says these things are easy is a liar. Laying these things down is completely opposite to our human nature. And if anyone has a justice heart like myself, laying these things down seem to go again almost everything you thought was just and fair! Fight for the weak and victimized...even if that's you! The person harming you should be punished and brought to justice! Laying these things down is probably the hardest thing our heart has to do in our whole life, especially in cases that you were the one severely wronged.<br />
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That is the place I have once again found myself in. God knew that the journey He started me on back in February would be a warm-up for what I face now.<br />
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One night this week, God tenderly ask me, once again, to forgive...this time, in a situation which feels like there's more hurt, pain and anger. Full of justification for those feelings. I told the Lord this person did not deserve forgiveness because they probably didn't even know how wrong and awful they had been. They need to know! They need to pay for that and answer for what they did! I mean this person broke my heart! They need to be punished before I can forgive and let this go. I need justice. I am worth more than how they treated me! It's not fair that I forgive when they think that they are in the right, where's the justice in that, God?! I am so angry. They don't deserve forgiveness! <br />
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In the Lord's mercy and grace, He sweetly spoke to my heart and said, "These things are true, Hannah. You are right. They have been awful to you and they don't even know the extent of it all. You do deserve to be treated better. And they don't deserve forgiveness. You are correct.<br />
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"However, my Hannah-girl, you did not deserve to have my Son die for your sins...but He did it anyway. This, my girl, is why <i>you</i> need to forgive. Because of what my Son did for you, not because of whether or not someone <i>deserves</i> your forgiveness. You need not hold that anymore. Allow me to protect you, watch over you and comfort you. Let this go and forgive. I desire freedom for you and that is found in forgiveness. Allow Me to hold your heart and protect it. I will do a far better job at that than you ever can, my girl. Choose to forgive. I want you to walk in freedom, but you must choose to forgive."<br />
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"Oh Father," I cried, "You love me more than I will ever know."<br />
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So...after struggling a lot with my anger, hurt and pain, I chose to forgive with my heart and not just my head. The thing is, nothing has changed; my circumstances are the exact same today as they were yesterday--but I know that I am experiencing more of God's love today than I did yesterday. Not because He has changed, but because I am now allowing His love to flow in the back corner of my heart where I so tightly held the hurt and pain.<br />
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Forgiveness takes trust. Trust that God is all He says He is. I want to trust Him with all my heart...and sometimes, often times actually, that means I must let go of what I think is just and fair and instead hold on to His promises and will for my life. I want to love God more than I hate what has been done to me.<br />
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I don't write all this to have you think I'm awesome and a super-Christian. I actually write this to maybe encourage you that you're not the only one holding on to things that are justifiable; you are not the only one who needs to let things go and forgive with your heart and not just your head.<br />
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Maybe forgiving with you heart is what Jesus meant when He told us to forgive 70 x 7 times (<a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/mat.18.niv" target="_blank">Matthew 18:22</a>). Not specifically that the same person or situation harms you <a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/97/mat.18.msg" target="_blank">70 x 7 times</a> and for each time we must forgive (which I'm sure He meant as well), but that everytime the memory of that harm comes back, we need to choose to forgive each time.<br />
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I think forgiveness from the heart is the most difficult thing we will ever do as a Believer. Because it means letting of the justice we see to be most fitting and instead allow and trust that God's justice is actually the most fitting. He's better at being Judge than you or me.<br />
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I'm still on this journey of forgiveness. It's hard. I have to daily say, "I forgive..." out loud. I do know that one day this situation will become a little further away and that Christ's love will flow a little more freely in that corner of my heart. I think He just wants us to just start somewhere. His grace will be very evident once we take a step. This won't be the last time you or I will be wronged, but maybe next time it won't take us as long to choose to forgive.<br />
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Thank you God for forgiving my sin and calling me your own. I am seeing more and more, that I did not deserve that act of kindness from You, but still You did it for me. Thank you. Thank you that I am Yours. Thank you that you love me with an everlasting love. Thank you that I am a blessing to you. I love you Papa. Amen.Hannah Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679975202662635211noreply@blogger.com0