Advent Chain

Here is an advent chain I made for my family last year and they loved it. all you have to do is print them out, cut them into strips and glue them in order in links. Every night the kids take turns getting a link and reading the corresponding Bible passages. To print left click on image and select print. I recommend choosing the landscape option in your printer options. I also print it on card stock but i think it be fine on regular printer paper.

I would love to hear back from you all in the comment section. Let me know if your family enjoyed this special time together.

Love,

Ashley B.

Happy Thanksgiving

Luke 10:41-42

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Let us take Jesus at his word here and not worry about to many things. Let us chose the path of Mary and enjoy the  company of the loved ones around us. Not every single thing needs to be just so. It's just food you guys. Take a deep breathe in and slowly let it out. Lets face it, Martha will forever be remembered as the frustrated one .... thats sure not how I want my family and friends to remember me... I chose to be Merry, get it Mary... lol ok I'm done. Happy Thanksgiving Y'all 

Love,
Ashley B.

Thanksgiving Favs

I love this time of year, when we are to pause to give thanks for all things. It is hard to remember some times how truly blessed we are. It is so easy to fall in the habit of gratitude for all the things we have- cars, homes, tangible possessions. What we forget is that these things just distract us from what are the true blessings in our lives. There is not even time to actually think about what we are thankful for with all the holiday preparations we have deemed necessary. Spending all day in the kitchen lends little time to contemplating the truly beautiful things about our lives. So, I offer you a couple dishes that are simple and delicious. They do not take much time to prepare and are perfect for any holiday meal! may these recipes inspire you to contemplate exactly how you want to spend your days. This year I look forward to simplicity in the kitchen so I may have more time to spend with those I am thankful for and to take time to thank the One who have given me all that I have and is the reason I am here to give thanks. 

I hope you enjoy these recipes and your day of giving thanks! May it be a blessed day for you!

Lots of Love,

Ashley M.

Fall Favorites staring the Wonderful Pomegranate

It is fall and I am excited! I love all the inspiration that comes with fall, especially in the kitchen. We are reaping the rewards of all the hard work through out spring and summer- harvesting all the beautiful crops of root vegetables, winter squash, and so much more! We here at For GOD so Loved The Mom are excited to bring you a series of recipes using all the wonderful foods fall has to offer.
Now it is not fall in my opinion until I enjoy...

There are so many amazing and wonderful recipes that use pomegranate or you can simply enjoy the seeds freshly picked out of its shell. In staying true to my usual posts I am going to share two simple, easy, and delicious recipes using these scrumptious seeds!

Since you have 1/2 the seeds left over and you simply can't let them go to waste ;) here is a dessert recipe to help you finish those seeds off!

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!
Lots of Love,
Ashley M

Pumpkin Pie with Oatmeal Cookie Crust

This is my daughters favorite dessert. She even wanted it for her birthday last year instead of cake!
This is my gluten free version because the crust is gluten free. The whole house smells of happiness while this is baking.

* You could use Regular Flour as well

If you are planning on making this for Thanksgiving or any other special occasion, I would recommend doing a practice run first. Not only will your hubby and kids be happy for the treat, there will also be no surprises on the big day. This would be a good idea to do with all new recipes you plan on making for any event. I'm sure it will help reduce some of the stress of cooking a big meal.

Love,

Ashley B.

DIY Fall Scents All Purpose Cleaner

Thanksgiving is upon us and Fall is in the air. Or is it? Household cleaners are toxic and full of obnoxious and dangerous fumes! I for one hate the smell of most commercially available cleaners. On occasion I will buy simple green or bleach, but that is a rare occasion as I like to  make my own all purpose cleaner. It is so simple and makes me feel good about what my kids are around.

This is my Fall Scented All Purpose Cleaner

There are plenty of reasons to detox your home. The fumes and residues from most household cleaners are toxic on multiple levels. You don't need me to tell you that after you have cleaned a room with closed or no windows!

Natural cleaners are just as effective as lab made chemicals. For example:

White Distilled Vinegar  neutralizes a variety of stains and odors, dissolves scale and soap scum!

Cinnamon smells fabulous and is an astringent, anti-fugal, antiseptic, and antibacterial.

Clove is amazing and I use it tons. Some of its uses in cleaning are, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic, and disinfectant.

Orange is an antiseptic with a d-limonene content of 90% its spanks most household cleaners found at the market.

My point is go natural.

Love,

Ashley B.

references

Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold Bond

Mountain Rose Herbs

Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley