Holistic Homemaking

Happy Anniversary To Me (And The Mr)

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:31:00 +0000

Today {May 24} is a special day.

9 years ago this day I linked arms with my dad and walked under a canopy of trees to stand with the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

9 years later I am glad to say that I love my fella more than I ever thought possible. He is absolutely amazing and the exact man I need.

... And today we are going to celebrate by going rock climbing!! I have not been in years {like since before our kiddos were born}.

Photos to follow {hopefully}.

Happy Hello #4

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:42:00 +0000

Welcome to the Happy Hello blog hop & link party, happening every Tuesday here at Holistic Homemaking!

<center><a href="a href="http://www.holistichomemaking.org" target="_blank"><img src="http://s952.photobucket.com/albums/ae4/aprilemery_pb10/?action=view&current=happyhello.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></center>

Join in on the fun by adding a direct link to your blog or blog post and visiting the blogs of other participants. There are no criteria for acceptable links - you can share anything that fancies you!

Be sure to grab the Happy Hello blog button and add it to your blog {not your post}.

Following Holistic Homemaking {feed, Facebook, or Twitter} or following me on Pinterest are not required but will brighten my day if you decide to do so.

So let's get to it!

The Best & The Worst Of Nearly Everything {with lots of printable resources}

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:20:00 +0000

photo source

Did you know that there are some cereals on that market that are more than 50% sugar and contain more sugar in them than Twinkies or cookies?!

The Environmental Working Group investigated the amount of sugar present in children's cereals. They took their findings and published them into a handy-dandy PDF file that you can download for free.

Also available : a listing of the best/worst cereals and tips on how to transition to healthier breakfasts {and what to look for in the store}.

{other EWG Guides}

-- which almost always include a printable guide you can take with you shopping --

photo source Google images

Sunscreen Database :: extensive list of the safest and worst sunscreens {I personally recommend California Baby Sunscreens}

Skin Deep Cosmetics Database :: find out what's in your beauty and hygiene items {you might be surprised} - you can also read up on the reason why this database was created

National Drinking Water Database :: by entering your zip code you can see exactly what chemicals and pollutants are in your water supply as well as any violations your municipal authority has committed. Safer water tips are also available.

photo source

Shoppers Guide To Pesticides On Produce :: listing of the top 12 most pesticide-laden and the top 15 cleanest produce items. {published annually}

Farm Subsidy Database :: government subsidies are driving a increasing amount of irresponsible farming practices {mistreatment of livestock, pesticide use, genetically modified agriculture, etc} - search the database and find which farms in your area are collecting government funds for their crops {and how much they are getting}

Meat Eaters Guide :: Eating large amounts of meat {like us in America} increases exposure to toxins and is linked to higher rates of heart disease and cancer. We can all benefit from eating less meat {not necessarily avoiding it}. This guide shows the economic and health impact of the meat you consume. You can download the report and a brochure, and for a donation to EWG you can get a pocket guide and other resources.

Cell Phone Database :: research is beginning to show that with the increased use of cell phones so also has come the increased risk of brain tumors and tumors of the salivary glands - use this database to see how your phone ranks, how to pick a safer phone, and tips on how to reduce exposure to cell phone radiation

What You Need To Know About Gas Drilling {aka hydraulic fracturing - aka "fracking"} - with the push to find alternative energy sources gas drilling has because a huge topic of conversation. There is virtually no federal regulation concerning gas drilling, and the government and gas companies will tell you that fracking is safe and poses no threat to the surrounding communities. What EWG {and many others} have found is that gas drilling poses a serious threat to water supply, residential properties, and the health of citizens surrounding the sites. Here is proof - "Cracking Down On Hydaulic Fracturing" infographic, Shale Play, and The Dangers Of Fracking

The Parents' Guide To Surviving The Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:08:00 +0000

photo credit

Summer brings with it warmer temperatures, sunnier days ... and a new routine. Most children are wrapping up their school year and coming face-to-face with a more relaxed schedule. For parents, this can be a welcomed blessing or a source of stress. Regardless of what camp you are in here are some ideas to help you and your children enjoy the summer season ... and most are cheap or free.

no instructions required

visit a local or state park * hunt for bugs and worms * eat meals outside * make a mountain of blankets and pillow to jump in * play hide and seek * visit a museum or the zoo * pull out the recipe book and cook something * let the kids play in the tub in the middle of the day * read books with your kiddos * go swimming or visit a water park * make art (paint, draw ...) * splash in a creek * go to the library * teach your kids something new * make silly movies * do puzzles together * do a service project together * plant a garden * visit a theme park * have a playdate

instructions needed. click on the idea to see the how-to

{outdoors}

outdoor color match * nature scavenger hunt * boredom prevention list * make a weather station * make your own sprinkler

{indoors / rainy day}

plastic bottle bowling * paper plate ring toss game * DIY vinyl stickers * paper towel roll kaleidoscope * play Minute To Win It at home * make a masking tape car/train track or a town * make a PVC fort * paper plate paddle ball * get creative with cardboard * make ice cream in a baggie * make a tent for reading * dress-up /pretend * play board games * discovery bottles

{travel}

make a hidden pictures book * discovery bottles * kid clips for road trips * conversation cards/rings * are we there yet? cards

{after dark}

flashlights * flashlight tag * catch fireflies * hunt for glowsticks * bonfire

I am continually adding ideas to my pinboards on Pinterest. Stop by and follow me if you would like.

My New Love :: SimplyFun Games

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:44:00 +0000

I have fallen head over heels for SimplyFun.

SimplyFun products are all about learning and connecting through play, with great games and puzzles for ages 2+. The best part about them is that they are fun for ALL ages, not just kids! Some of my family's favorites are

Bank It
What It Teaches : managing finances - the basics of spending, saving and giving
Game Play : In order to win players must purchase items from each store on the board, donate to a charity and save money in order to purchase a bicycle.
Details : ages 6+, 1-4 players

Walk The Dogs
What It Teaches : counting, sorting, patterns, basic strategy skills
Game play : With all dogs in one row, players build their own row of dogs by playing cards in their hand. The first player to group 5 of the same breed together in their line wins.
Details : ages 8+, 2-5 players

Pickles' Pig Tales
What It Teaches: pre-reading language skills, memory, imagination development
Game Play : Help Pickles the pig make it to the castle by building and remembering a fun and silly story. The player with the most story cards when Pickles reaches the castle is the winner.
Details : ages 6+, 2-5 players (my 4-year old plays this just fine)

{what makes SimplyFun so special?}

SimplyFun products are the proud recipients of many prestigious awards and have even been featured in magazines like Parenting and Family Fun.

Games are easy to learn and easy to play, with most games take 5 minutes or less to learn and {most}can be played in under 30 minutes.

All SimplyFun products are designed for learning and connecting. Each game and puzzle had an educational component (memory, counting, critical thinking, etc) but also promotes social interaction.

From the pieces to the boxes they come in, SimplyFun products are high quality and built to last.

You won't find SimplyFun products in stores. They are exclusive and can only be ordered through a SimplyFun consultant. Lucky for you, I am a consultant! You can view my website and order products at any time.

As a SimplyFun consultant I can help you

- - choose the products that best suit your needs

- - earn FREE games through hosting a SimplyFun party {home or on-line}

- - discover how easy {and fun} it is to make an income as a consultant {new consultants can join the SimplyFun family in May for only $45 instead of the normal $99}

May Specials {expires May 31, 2012 at 11:59pm PST}

Customers

Purchase Eye-To-Eye plus an expansion [Eye To Eye Jr or More Eye To Eye] for $30 {reg. price $50 for both}

use code CP051201 for Eye To Eye + Eye To Eye Jr

use code CP051202 for Eye To Eye + More Eye To Eye

Hosts {home or on-line}

With a $350 SimplyFun party get Unravel & Trifusion FREE!

With a $700 SimplyFun party get Unravel, Trifusion, and Dream Dragon FREE!

contact me if you are interested in booking a party

New Consultants

Start your SimplyFun business for $45 plus tax and get the following

Happy Hello Blog Party & Link Up #3

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:08:00 +0000

There were some good link ups last week for the Happy Hello blog party & link up.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Angela's thoughts at the Daily Dose of Delight on how God has used her carpet to remind her of the work He is doing in her life.

Stuff & Nonsense has been whipping up some mean looking potatoes in her kitchen. I went out and picked up a bag so I could duplicate the recipe. Yum!

A pleasant surprise was getting acquainted with the wife (Sneakers of Faith) of an old Bible school friend. She and her man are quite adorable together.

Kadydid Designs made these cute clothespins hangers - you've got to check them out!

If you are looking for some creative inspiration then you need to check out Monkey See, Monkey Do and B.I.B.S. These gals are a wellspring of creativity.

Now on with the party ...

First, the rules

no porn or other crude/offensive material
no giveaways
no spam
no links to other hops or parties

Feel free to share a post link or a direct link to your blog. Grab the Happy Hello button and display it somewhere on your blog (not in a post) and then visit a blog or two. Basically, mingle.

</p><p><center><a href="<a href="http://www.holistichomemaking.org" target="_blank"><img src="http://s952.photobucket.com/albums/ae4/aprilemery_pb10/?action=view&current=happyhello.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>" /></a></center>

It would make my heart happy if you followed my blog, but it is not required. You can follow Holistic Homemaking via

I look forward to meeting you for the first time or reading more by you! Have a great week!

For The Mamas

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:05:00 +0000

Mothers of little ones, you are the world to your babies ...

... and you never know what their best day with you will turn out to be.

Happy Mother's Day to all my mom-readers! Your have the most influential job in the whole world.

My Mother's Day Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Sun, 13 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

me and my kiddos (ages 6,4, and 2), May 2012

This will be my 7th Mother's Day since becoming a mom. Being a mom has been the hardest job of my life, but also the most rewarding. I am a planner and the journey of motherhood has taken me on a journey that I could not plan or predict. At times it has been so hard that I questioned whether God made a mistake in giving me one of my children, or in making me a mom at all. On the flip side I have experienced some of the deepest joys and a depth to love that I could not anticipate or imagine. I would not trade being a mom for anything. I am so grateful that God made me a mom.

On each Mother's Day I reflect on the mothering journey God has brought me down and daydream about what the next year could possibly hold. I love to use Mother's Day as a time to make mom-resolutions for myself in the upcoming year. These are things that I typical think about and try to answer

the highs and lows of my relationship with my children
the effectiveness of our discipline plan
areas of greatest struggle / weakness
areas I grew the most
who I have let speak in to my life as a mom (mentors)
how I would like for my mothering / relationship with my children to look different this next year
a Bible verse I can meditate on in regards to my mothering

This next year my hope is that I would be able to live in the moment and give myself grace more. When it comes to homemaking I am task-oriented perfectionist, and I sometimes transfer that over into my parenting. I can be extremely hard on myself when I struggle or fail at something. I want this upcoming year to be a year where my kids see their mom spends more time with them than obsessing over a clean house or wasting time on Facebook. I want them to have experience their mom being fully present when she is with them, not looking at my smartphone or reading a magazine. I want them to see a mom that is okay with messes and learns from mistakes rather than punishing myself for them.

This may too lofty a goal, but my hope is that I will at least make steps in that direction this year, and that next Mother's Day I can say I grew.

What about you? What are your Mother's Day resolutions?

May 10 ONLY

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:40:00 +0000

PLUS get a $10 credit when you create a Vitacost account!

Photography Course Giveaway Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:28:00 +0000

Congratulations to Sarah C.! You have won the Learn & Master Photography course!!

Sarah, I have contacted you via e-mail. Please respond with the information requested and I will make sure your prize gets on it's way to your doorstep!

If I do not hear from the winner within 48 hours a new winner will be selected.

Thank you to all who entered!

Happy Hello Blog Hop #2

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Happy Hello blog hop! I am delighted you stopped by today!

The Happy Hello blog hop is a way to share your blog with the world and be introduced to some new ones. Just a few guidelines to follow ...

Share a link to your blog or an original blog post you have written.

no porn or other offensive material
no spam
no giveaways
no links to other blog hops & link parties

Grab the Happy Hello button and display it somewhere on your blog (not in a post).

Visit a blog or two.

It would make my heart happy if you followed my blog, but it is not required. You can follow Holistic Homemaking via

ANNOUNCEMENT

If you have yet to enter, please check out my photography course giveaway (valued at $249) ending May 9! Read more about the course and my personal review of it here. Good luck!

Now on with the hopping, shall we?

(Please notify me if you have any technical issues)

Gluten-Free Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:30:00 +0000

If you have celiac disease or are purposefully avoiding gluten you will definitely want to check out the Celiac Disease Foundations GLUTEN FREE Resource Directory.

This directory serves as a one-stop resource for gluten-free living and is updated daily. {Hopefully there will be an app for this before too long}

Speaking of smartphones check out Find Me Gluten Free, the official gluten-free restaurant finder. Search for restaurant chains or generalize your search to any/all restaurants with gluten-free items or menus. Submit reviews for restaurants you visit to help make the app even better!

Win A FREE Photography Course! {$249 value!}

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Most people believe that in order to take great photos that one must have a fancy and/or expensive camera, but the truth is that the secret to great photography is in what goes on behind the camera.

Are you always frustrated with the way your photos turn out? Do you wish you knew how to take pictures and have them turn out the way they do for a photographer?

Or are you a photography enthusiast, looking to brush up on your skills?

Now you have your chance!

Legacy Learning Systems is giving one of my lucky readers their complete photography course, Learn & Master Photography in return for my review of this product {read my review below}. Details on the giveaway are at the bottom of this post.

{my review}

I have reviewed this course and it is excellent, folks! With the Learn & Master Photography course you get

24 video lessons on 15 DVDs as well as a lesson book. All materials come in a sturdy storage binder. Vince Wallace, the course instructor, is a very accomplished photographer and explains even the most complicated concepts of photography in a way that is easy to understand and execute {read more about Vince here}.

Topics Covered In This Course {read detailed descriptions here}

Digital SLR Camera basics (lens, body, and gear)

Understanding Photography (aperture, exposure, aperture, depth of field, and focal length)

Elements of Art

The Triad and ISO

Principles of Design

Photographing Motion

Landscape Photography

Low-Light Photography

Candid Photography

Studio Lighting

Color Management

File Management & Image Editing

Sharing Your Photography

The course instructor did an excellent job with explaining concepts and terms. He provided examples (both good and bad) from his own personal work to aid in understanding concepts. I especially appreciated the on-location lessons as they highlighted the decision-making process in photography.

This course retails for $249, but one lucky reader will win this course for FREE! Can you believe it?!

{giveaway details}

Enter using Rafflecopter. The first entry is mandatory. All other entries are optional.

Winner will be announced Thursday May 10.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Introducing ... the "Happy Hello" blog hop!

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Happy Hello, a new weekly blog party here at Holistic Homemaking! My hope is that the Happy Hello will allow you to share your blog with the world and discover some new ones at the same time.

A few simple rules to get you started

Share a link to your blog or blog post.

Follow Holistic Homemaking through one or more of the following
{feel free to leave a comment saying "hi" - I would love to meet you if I haven't already}

Facebook -- Twitter -- RSS -- Pinterest

Linky Followers -- Google Friend Connect -- Networked Blogs

Visit some Happy Hello links and say "hello."

Grab my button and share it on your blog!

A few things not allowed:

No porn or other explicit content.

No spam.

No giveaways.

No links to other blog parties/link-ups.

{Such links will be removed.}

Alright ... let's get to the hellos!!

DIY :: Uses For Paint Sample Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Paint sample cards are located in the paint section of hardware stores, and they can be used for more than deciding your next wall color. Here are some creative alternate uses:

1. Flash cards

Gather one card of the following colors: black, gray, brown, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, white. Trim off any text on the front of the card. Use a rubber band to keep the set together when not in use or punch a hole in the corner of each card and feed a binder clip through the holes.

Another option: write or print the color name on the corresponding card {especially helpful for young readers}. I used Microsoft Publisher to print my cards - I created a text box the same size of the paint card, centered the text and used Century Gothic for my font. I selected "other photo paper" in my printing options for paper type to ensure a consistent ink printing.

photo credit - Holistic Homemaking, April Emery 2012

2. Rainbow Chainlink Garland

This works best with larger paint sample cards {I used Glidden sample cards}. Cut the cards into strips. Make the first loop and secure with staples or tape {I used tape}. For the next link in the chain, feed a strip through the middle of the previous loop and bring ends of strip together. Secure. Repeat with remaining strips until garland is desired length.

photo credit - Holistic Homemaking, April Emery 2012

3. Confetti

This is super simple. Using a hole punch, punch holes in the sample cards. That's it. The most difficult part is choosing what color{s} you want to use!

photo credit - Holistic Homemaking, April Emery 2012

4. Bookmark

Using a paint sample card with multiple shades/hues on it, cut a 2-inch wide strip from the card. If you have a rounded corner punch you can trim the corners so they are more rounded. For added decoration punch a hole in the top and thread ribbon/string through and secure. Stamps or doodles can add an artistic touch as well.

photo credit Bella Carta

Do you have another creative use for paint sample cards? Feel free to share them here {make sure you leave a link to a blog post if you have one}!

Update On Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

I mentioned earlier a pretty sweet giveaway coming soon ...

It's still on it's way.

There are some kinks being ironed out.

I wish I could tell you what it is! {I am horrible about being patient when it comes to giving gifts}

Stay tuned, dear readers ...

Raising Kids With Character That Lasts {FREE e-Book}

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

April 26, from midnight to midnight, you can download a FREE e-copy of the book "Raising Kids with Character That Lasts" by John and Susan Alexander-Yates in the following formats

Amazon {Kindle}

Barnes & Noble {Nook}

ChristianBook.com

The Digital Age :: Have You Heard These Guys?!

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:27:00 +0000

If you haven't been introduced to The Digital Age yet, allow me to do so ...

Read up on the band on their website {you might be surprised to find out who they are}. You can view more rehearsal videos by The Digital Age here.

And Then I Had Kids {FREE e-Book}

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:57:00 +0000

April 25, from midnight to midnight, you can get a FREE e-copy of "And Then I Had Kids" by Susan Alexander Yates in the following formats

Amazon {Kindle}

Barnes & Noble {Nook}

ChristianBook.com

A Deal Too Good To Pass Up!!

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:35:00 +0000

TODAY ONLY (April 24, 2012)

Get FREE shipping on orders of $24 or more from Vitacost.com

{it's normally free shipping on orders of $49 or more}

Orders less than $24 pay only $2.24 shipping!

PLUS

Get a $10 credit when you sign up for a FREE Vitacost.com account!

Use this credit with this deal and you pay only $14!

Click here to create a new account and snag your $10 credit!

If you already have an account, you can start shopping right here.

Killing Weeds The Fun Way

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:37:00 +0000

photo credit, Google images

Ah, yes ... Spring. A return of warmer weather, seasonal wildlife ...

... and weeds.

About a soon as the air warms you begin seeing those little green sprouts, and if you don't do something about them now you will spend your entire summer battling those pesky little {or big} plants.

Your options are

Attempt to remove the weed with physical force {aka pulling it out of the ground, root and all}, but let's face it ... how many times are you actually able to get the entire weed out?
Cut what you see down and hope that it gets the point.
Mosey down to your local hardware store for some commercial weed killer. The problem with this, while it may be effective, is that it is poisonous and harmful for your yard's ecosystem and the area's water supply ... not to mention your pets and children. The spray sticks to the plant but residues find their way into your soil, ground water, and the feet of your pets and little ones ... who then walk into your home and decorate your floor with invisible toxins. Ick.

The good news?

There is another option.

Distilled white vinegar.

I am serious. It really works.

Pour full strength vinegar on weeds and they wither up and die as fast as or faster than commercial sprays. Be careful not to pour this on grass or other plants you wish to keep alive, vinegar will kill everything it touches.

How it works

Vinegar is acidic and will burn whatever part of the plant it touches, from roots to leaves. Vinegar works especially fast on sunny days. Within a few hours weeds are burnt to a crisp and will not return.

The Best Time To Purchase Almost Anything

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Every wonder if there is a better time than others to buy specific items like appliances, cars, computers, and clothes? The January 2012 issue of Parents magazine had this helpful guide

january

luggage {stores try to unload the excess items that were left after the holiday travel season}
sports equipment {off season shopping can land you some deals}
exercise equipment {retailers make the most of all those get-fit resolutions}
linens {a tradition started in 1878}
furniture {new styles hit the market in February and stores want to make space for new inventory}

february

TVs {deal abound right up until the Super Bowl}
cameras & camcorders {trade shows happen in January so last year's models are discounted}
winter clothes {spring is around the corner and stores are eager to get rid of wintry merchandise}

march

grills {retailers seek to unload last year's models in preparation for the upcoming grilling season}

april

SAVE YOUR MONEY NOW {retailers know that tax refunds are / will be arriving so prices usually go up about this time}

may

vacuums {new models debut in June so last year's models will be discounted}

june

tools {discounts just in time for Father's Day}

july

furniture {new models arrives in August so the previous year's inventory has to go}

august

summer clothes {back-to-school shopping means space must be cleared for fall clothing lines}
computers {prices drop just in time for back-to-school}
small appliances {sales are easier to come by this month, as college students begin shopping for dorm life}

september

cars {room must be made for the upcoming year's models so prices job and deals abound to clear inventory}
outdoor equipment {warm weather items will be replaced by leaf and snow blowers - season merch has to go somewhere}

october

large appliances {the next year's models will be arriving soon so discounts are easier to find as stores try to make room}

november

TVs {Thanksgiving and football season spur on these deals}

december

toys {a given - stores try to maximize profit as consumers shop for the holidays}

You Don't Want To Miss Next Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:04:00 +0000

You do not want to miss next week here at Holistic Homemaking.

Why?

There is a pretty sweet giveaway in store and it involves photography.

Even if you aren't into photography, you probably know someone who is ... so be sure to tell them to stop by next week and take a peek at the prize!

I can't wait! Can you?!

Creation Care & The Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:09:00 +0000

photo credit

I grew up under the impression that only hippies cared about the environment, that a Christian who cared for the environment was an oxymoron. I didn't think twice about my choices or the effects they would have on the world's population, creatures and natural resources. People and their fate of their souls were all that mattered.

But Creation Care is not just for hippies and "far out" types. It's not about worshipping the things God made more than God Himself. Creation Care is an act of obedience and a reflection of the love we have for God and the value we place on all He made ... because God values all He made.

The Bible overflows with evidence that care for creation is not only good, but it's every Christian's duty. In it we find several passages that reveal

God is creator of all things. Isaiah 44:24
All creation belongs to God. Psalm 24:1
Humans are responsible for creation as caretakers. Psalm 8:6-8
Gratitude and humility are the proper responses to our responsibility to creation, not carelessness and wastefulness. Ezekiel 34:17-18
God will hold us accountable for how we treat creation. Revelation 11:18

But ultimately 1 Corinthians 10:31 says it best, "Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God."

Everything matters to God. We are not put on this planet to just be concerned about the eternal fate of people, but to also care for everything else He created in a wise and responsible way.

May you, dear reader, glorify God in all you do this Earth Day!

Blessings Unlimited Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Holistic Homemaking) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:49:00 +0000

From Tuesday April 17 to Friday April 20 you can enter to win this Psalm 23 / Jesus Loves The Little Children puzzle from Blessings Unlimited (a $29 value)!

With the promises of Psalm 23 on one side, and the well-loved lyrics of Jesus Loves the Little Children, and Scripture verses of God’s love for little ones, our newest family puzzle reminds kids just how precious they are in God’s sight and how He will always be their loving Shepherd. This bright, colorful puzzle is double-sided with three consecutive rings of pieces. Put one side together with your family and, right away or later, break it apart and work the other side. Twice as much fun-filled and teaching time with your children. Inner ring is 7”, middle ring is 14”, and outer ring is 20” in diameter. {from Blessings Unlimited website}

All you have to do is hop on over the Recognize & Remember and enter for your chance to win! There are several ways to earn extra entries, too!