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Christmas Sock Wreath

Valerie Basham

December 4, 2012

I found this idea on Pinterest months ago. It looked easy and cute, the two requirements that any craft must meet before I attempt it. The original post was adorable, but lacked specific instructions, which, if you come here often, you know that “exact” is in my top ten favorite words list. I did a bit of Googling and found more clear directions.

Here’s how mine turned out. Not as cute as I had hoped, and it cost a bit more than I intended to spend, but once I got started, I had to finish it.

The original blogger said she got all of her supplies at the dollar store. She must live in a larger town, because my dollar store didn’t have the foam wreath form. I had to buy it at Hobby Lobby at a much higher price. Also, I couldn’t find the rounded kind of form; mine had square sides. That was awkward for this project. I also wish I’d used more socks. I may go back and add more later. Another problem I encountered was the bow. The original blogger didn’t describe how she made a bow out of a sock! I’m not a bow maker, so I needed directions. I had to buy a bow at Walmart and trim the ribbons. Despite all of this, I forged ahead. I think it turned out okay, but it wasn’t as adorable as I’d expected.

Here are the steps I used to make this wreath. You can also read more about making it HERE.

Supplies:

A foam wreath form – with rounded edges, if possible.
Christmas socks from the Dollar store.
A bow, or ribbon (or extra socks) to make one if you know how.
Hot glue or large twist ties (to attach bow)

Directions:

Cut the toe and heel off of socks, so that you have a tube that’s open on both ends.
Slice through the wreath form with a knife in one place.
Bunch socks around the wreath however you like. You may try to follow a pattern, or go random. It’s up to you!
Attach bow.
Hang.
Admire.

Merry Christmas!

Homemade Cleaners

Valerie Basham

2 comments

December 3, 2012

I have been making various versions of homemade laundry detergent for quite a while, and saving money doing it. Now, thanks to Pinterest, I’m finding other types of cleaning products that can be made at home and prove very effective. One purchase that I make about every three weeks is a bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles. It works really well to remove that stubborn ring around the tub, but, it’s not cheap. I stumbled upon the following recipe for making a similar cleaner at home using only two cheap ingredients! The original recipe just said to use equal amounts of these cleaners, but I like things to exact, so I’ll share the formula that worked for me.

Homemade Tub & Shower Cleaner

Ingredients:
An empty spray bottle
Equal parts of vinegar and Dawn dish washing liquid. (I used 1.5 cups of each, but it depends on how large your spray bottle is.)

Directions:
Heat the 1.5 cups of vinegar in the microwave for 90 seconds. Pour into spray bottle. Add dish washing liquid. Give it shake. Spray onto tub or shower, let stand for about five minutes. Use a damp sponge to clean tub. It requires a bit more elbow grease, but it does a fine job at a much lower price! Hooray for saving money! 🙂

*Note: You do not have to re-heat to use this cleaner. Only heat it when you mix it up in the beginning.

Homemade Floor Cleaner

Ingredients:
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup super washing soda
1 tsp. Dawn
2 Gallons hot water

Directions:
Pour ingredients into large mop bucket, add 2 gallons hot water.

The original recipe said to use 1 Tbsp. Dawn, but that was entirely too sudsy for me! It was almost so soapy that I had to go over the floors with plain water when I was done. If I had a really dirty floor, or if I didn’t have to do my floors often, I might use more Dawn. However, I clean my floors every week…well, actually my son does, so the smaller amount of Dawn worked great.

*Note: This formula is not recommended for waxed floors.

I hope these recipes will help your budget out during the holiday season, and all your long.

A Special Christmas Blessing

Valerie Basham

4 comments

December 1, 2012

Christmas started very early for me this year! Last Thursday, I got a small package from my friend, Ava. Inside was the most unique Christmas ornament I’ve ever received! It also holds special meaning for me. Here’s a picture:

It’s an ornament made from an illustration in the book Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder! This one is a picture of Royal and Almanzo drinking apple cider and eating popcorn by the fire in the chapter “Winter Night”.

On the other side is the more of that same picture. Father Wilder is scraping a new ax handle and Eliza Jane is reading the newspaper aloud.

This ornament is so special because my family and I were able to visit the Farmer Boy home in Malone, New York, last September! After we returned, I read the book, Farmer Boy, aloud to our children. This gift is one I will treasure each and every year as long as I live.

Here is the package it was wrapped in. It’s two pages of a Little House book, sewn together and tied at top with this multicolored ribbon. It was made by a Laura Ingalls Wilder enthusiast that Ava knows. The padding in the box was a page from the De Smet News, of De Smet, South Dakota. This is where the book, Little Town on the Prairie, takes place! What a cute touch!

Thank you, Ava, for starting my Christmas season off in such a special way! It’s been a long year, and part of me has been dreading the upcoming season. What a special blessing for the Lord to give me a gift on His birthday! But, that’s what Christmas is all about – His gift of love on the cross. What a blessing to be loved.

The Heart of a Seven Year Old

Valerie Basham

3 comments

December 1, 2012

Leslie, helping decorate the tree this week.

My children have said or done many things over the years that, in their innocence, greatly convicted me of my failings. Tonight was one of those times.

On the first Saturday of each month, our church has “Field Service Saturday”. We go pass out tracts, witness to others about Christ, or make phone calls and follow up visits. I will not be able to go tomorrow, so I went yesterday afternoon with my oldest daughter as my partner. We made seventeen stops and talked to about ten people. It took us an hour. We dealt with dogs, including a pit bull, a broken step on a porch, lots of walking and some uninviting faces. I admit that I was relieved when we were done!

Tonight, as I was working in the kitchen, Leslie said, “You and Lauren aren’t going tomorrow to Field Service Saturday?” I said, “Lauren is going, but I won’t be able to. That’s why we went out yesterday.”
Leslie said, “Aw, that’s not fair. Lauren gets to go twice this week!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, I flashed through the thoughts that had crossed my mind while we were out yesterday. Thoughts like, “I can’t wait till this is over.” “This is probably doing no good!” and “I hope I don’t catch germs from this place.” My heart was smitten. In my mind, I asked the Lord to forgive me for my selfish spoiled ways and to help me have the heart of a seven year old, a heart that finds joy in serving Him.

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Valerie Basham

no comments

November 30, 2012

About ten years ago, my parents bought a pie at a Cracker Barrel restaurant that changed my life. It was a chocolate pecan pie. They brought it to a church fellowship dinner. I don’t remember the sermon preached that day, but I remember this pie! 🙂 Because I don’t live near a Cracker Barrel, and because I’m addicted to this pie, I had to learn to make my own if I wanted to have it. I especially crave it around the holidays. The following recipe is the one that has worked best for me. I wanted to spread some joy this Christmas season. So, make this pie, eat it, and feel the joy.

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 eggs

1 Tbsp. All Purpose flour

1 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup pecans

1 scant cup chocolate chips

1 frozen pie crust

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.
In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Stir in melted butter. Add brown & white sugar and flour and mix well.
Add milk and vanilla and give a quick stir.
Fold in pecans and chocolate chips.
Pour into unbaked (I use frozen) pie crust and cover edges with foil.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, then remove foil from edges. Continue baking until done. Pie is done when you can gently shake the oven rack and the pie doesn’t jiggle in the center.
Let cool completely before serving.
Eat slowly and savor the moment.

Note: You can make any regular pecan pie recipe and add a cup of chocolate chips to it. Most recipes call for corn syrup. I have made this pie that way, and it’s good. However, when I found this pecan pie recipe on my friend, Tori’s, blog, I thought it was even tastier than the corn syrup version.

Also, you can print this recipe according your specifications by clicking the green button that says “print PDF” below this post.

Your friend & lover of pie,

Thanksgiving Traditions

Valerie Basham

6 comments

November 28, 2012

My family and I enjoyed a visit with my mom, brother and sister and their families in my hometown this Thanksgiving. I was also able to see my uncles and aunts and a few cousins over the week.

I must admit that, while I did count my blessings on Thanksgiving Day, I didn’t feel as grateful as usual. Each one of the kids got croup the week before Thanksgiving. My husband and I had it the week of Thanksgiving. The coughing, stuffiness and body aches didn’t make for a very cheerful holiday. I didn’t feel like talking or eating, two things for which this wonderful holiday is known! My brother got sick the first day he was home, and my sister was also feeling badly due to an infection. To be honest, I wish I could have spent the holiday in bed, but I’m glad I took the effort to see my loved ones. I was able to visit with my nephews from North Carolina, whom I hadn’t seen in over two years! They sure have grown up. Lauren had a good time riding bikes with the middle cousin, Andrew. Leslie and Laci enjoyed playing with the youngest cousin, Stephen. The oldest boy in the family is almost too old to play…in fact, he’ll be driving next year! Wow. I got to see most of my brother’s kids from Texas. It’s amazing how quickly kids change. One year they are kids, the next year they’ve been promoted to the adult table!

We headed up to Batesville to visit my mom’s side of the family for Thanksgiving Day. I enjoyed the two hour drive with my husband, though neither of us felt much like talking. I loved seeing the hills and valleys, sprinkled with fall color. It was very relaxing. My Uncle Gary and Aunt Linda opened up their home to us for the “big meal”. We had turkey, ham, corn, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, cranberry salad, and other delicious sides. Dessert was Dutch apple pie, pecan pie, chocolate pecan pie and chocolate cupcakes. It was scrumptious and I still managed to put away my share despite feeling sickly. 🙂

We usually begin the holiday by stopping by the cemetery and honoring my Dad’s memorial there. Some of the family did go to the grave, but I refrained this year for a couple of reasons. First of all, it was a windy day, and since I wasn’t feeling well to begin with, I didn’t care to be out in the weather. Second, it is a tearful way to begin the holiday season. Dad is doing fine; he’s in heaven. I’m already struggling through some trials, so I didn’t feel it necessary to add to my sorrow. I miss Dad everyday. Every. Single. Day. Almost daily I wish I could get his counsel, or hear his laugh. Some days I wonder what our lives would look like if he had not had to leave eight years ago. I do my best to honor him by living a life for Christ. And, yes, there are some days that quitting sounds like a fine idea. But, then I think of Dad. I can see the glistening of tears in his eyes if he knew I were giving up. I can sometimes see him cheering me on from the battlements of Heaven. I hear him saying, “Hey, partner, I know it’s hard down there in the flesh, but the trials are worth it. Keep going! You can do it! Jesus is more wonderful than any human could ever express. Please don’t quit.” I don’t have to be at the graveside to remember his faithfulness, his joy or his love. Memories of him help me to keep going, just one more day. I don’t dislike visiting the grave, but sometimes I just want to remember his life, not his death. This Thanksgiving was one of those times.

We came home last Friday after a very full week. It’s always hard getting back into the swing of regular life after spending time with loved ones, just having fun. We hit the ground running with laundry, laundry and more laundry! This past Monday, we decorated our Christmas tree, ordered our Christmas cards and took care of some household chores. We got back to school yesterday and it’s been busy ever since, but that’s a good thing. I like being busy! 🙂

Laci made a few Thanksgiving art projects from her K5 materials a few weeks ago. I didn’t have a blog when Lauren made these crafts, but I did photograph them (before digital cameras!). I had just begun blogging when Mitch was doing these and…I think I took pictures! I definitely took Leslie’s pictures, and put them HERE. Then I blinked my eyes, and it was Laci’s turn.

The Indian headband and vest. I had to make it slip over her head because I got the wrong size paper sack for making a vest! I think it still turned out to be cute. 🙂

The Pilgrim girl bonnet.

The Pilgrim boy hat and the “Thanksgiving Picture Book”.

Fact: All kids (especially Kindergarteners) like arts & crafts. 🙂

Here are all the cousins! Well, all except Amber. I think she was spending time with her other cousins.

L-R, back row: Levi, Ashley, Lauren (holding Matt), Andrew, David Allen, Nathan.

Front row: Mitchell, Leslie, Laci and Stephen.

Mom with her kids, me, Kevin and Melanie. It was nice to all be together for a few days.

My brother, Kevin, and his wife, Kathy.

My sister, Melanie, and her husband, Walter.

I didn’t participate in a “giving thanks” meme on my blog this year, but I’d like to share a few things for which I’m thankful:

I’m thankful for tears, which cleanse my heart of sorrow and demonstrate genuine joy.
I’m thankful for the word “hello”.
I’m thankful for the quiet moments, which allow me to meditate on lessons, life and love.
I’m thankful for the sunshine, which not only lights each morning, but casts shadows on creation, giving it depth and diversity.
I’m thankful for a certain strong, reticent man in my life, who shows his love for me in personal, pure ways.
I’m thankful for five rowdy, hyper children whose voices reverberate through the house.
I’m thankful for a talkative teenage girl, for a ten year old who writes letters, for a seven year old who straightens my shoes, for a five year old who can quote TV commercials, and for a two year old who holds my hair when I rock him.
I’m thankful for a mother with a tender heart and a strong will.
I’m thankful for a Savior who gave up everything for a girl who had nothing.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! Thank you for reading.

Down, But Not Out

Valerie Basham

3 comments

November 17, 2012

I have spent the majority of this week sick in bed. Congested, achy, coughing and miserable. Just today I have felt life flowing in my veins again! We are planning to be away next week for Thanksgiving, at least, I am hoping that I’m up to the trip. Our entire family has passed croup around, but I think everyone is well now except for me. I’m a bit behind on school, making Christmas gifts, and just about everything else, but at least I’m here! Down, but not out…not yet, anyway. I’m so thankful to my husband for keeping us all afloat the last few days. He’s cooked and cleaned and done laundry and rallied the kids to get their chores done, too! He’s been my life saver!

In case I don’t have time to write again, I want to wish you all a great Thanksgiving. One lesson I’m learning really well this year is that there is always something for which I can be grateful. I am blessed beyond measure. Everyday is Thanksgiving Day for me!

With love,

The Long Sigh

Valerie Basham

2 comments

November 13, 2012

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. – Isaiah 35:10

Well, I’ve come to this blank square with one idea after another over the last few days. My heart is overflowing with blessings and the Lord is leading me down quiet paths and teaching me lessons that only He can teach. So many burdens have weighed down my heart, especially last week. So few folk have kind or encouraging words or even smiles to share! I come here, and stare at the blinking cursor, and leave it as I found it. I come wishing to fill the page with heartfelt thoughts, Scripture and such, but only manage to heave a sigh…a long sigh…and go out the way I came in.

I feel as though I’m only half a person right now, as though some massive injury has occurred and stolen my imagination, my hopes and my dreams…and worst of all, my words! (gasp! What will I, of all people, do without words? heehee!) I hope they will come again. If not for you, for me. I need to express myself, to talk, even if it’s only on this blank square. I hope that, while my time of sighing seems long, it will someday come to an end. And perhaps, at the end, is a time of long smiling! 🙂

Thank you for reading. I hope you will still be here when my words return.

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.– Psalm 30:5

God bless,

What to Do in the Waiting Room

Valerie Basham

3 comments

November 2, 2012

A few months ago, I stumbled upon this graphic online. It was just what I needed at the time, and still do, by the way. I posted it on my Facebook page, and it has had over 600 shares! That means 600 other people shared this photo from my page, not to mention all the folks who posted it on their pages and then shared it. It was obvious that I wasn’t the only one who was in the middle of a holding pattern!

Everyone is waiting on something. Some are waiting for an open door to buy a home. Some are waiting for a job. Others are desiring a child, by birth or adoption. Some might be waiting for a loved one to be healed of a disease or for a relationship to mend. Still others might be waiting for their financial situation to improve. And, dontcha just hate waiting? I do! Well, there is one thing that I hate more than waiting, and that’s waiting with nothing to do! Not too long ago, I took a child to the doctor and forgot to take a book! I had to sit on the little vinyl couch and watch “Bubble Guppies”. It was the longest half-hour of my life! My sister recently shared that she likes waiting more now that she can knit while she waits. She has recently developed this skill, and is a pro, I might add, so she enjoys the “excuse” to do it. My cousin was once stuck on I-30 due to a car accident. She organized her trunk and balanced her checkbook while she waited! I believe that’s the secret to surviving in the waiting room of life: stay busy.

Not too long ago, I was in a tailspin of depression. I gained weight, slept a lot and got up each day thinking “Maybe this is the day things will improve!” When I muddled through the day, and things stayed the same, I slipped a bit deeper into the depression. The only thing I did right was that I continued walking with the Lord. I read my Bible every day, prayed everyday and faithfully attended church and soul winning activities. I was also working in my home, caring for the kids and homeschooling, but I went about my daily tasks with little, if any, enthusiasm. I had reached a holding pattern for my life and was comfortable there. One day, the Lord gave me a gentle shake that awoke me. Notice, He didn’t have to slap me, just shake me. I was trying to serve Him, I was trying to please Him, but I was off track a bit; I’d lost my focus. I believe that’s why I didn’t have to have anything drastic happen to get my attention. I just needed to be pushed back on the path a bit.

He showed me that turning to food for comfort was useless. It made me feel worse than I did in the beginning. It was only a temporary fix. Many Christians turn to food since we do not smoke or drink. Gluttony is a sin, and I was swimming in it! I have since lost 12 pounds and 3 inches around my hips. I have more to go, but I’m using moderation in all things (Phil.4:5) and exercising again. The exercise is hard to do, but I have set reachable goals. I don’t want to be supermodel-skinny, just healthy. I want to take care of the one body God has given me.

He showed me that lack of hope can be lack of faith. I reached a point where I gave up on thinking things would get better. That was giving up on God. As long as I’m alive, there’s hope of change in myself and in others. I can give up on the hope of my changing things, but I can’t give up on God changing things. He is all powerful, and He will help me. Even if life never improves, I know I’ll be in Heaven one day! Now that’s something to look forward to!

He showed me that my priorities were out of order. By resetting my idea of what was important in life, I was able to find the contentment I was missing. I used to end the day with a list of “what I didn’t get done” running through my brain. For example, it might be like this:

I didn’t get to read a book today.
I didn’t get to email (or call) my friend today.
I didn’t blog today.
I didn’t get to write anything today!

I noticed a pattern in my “Didn’t Get Done” list. Everything on it were things I did for fun. I was getting all of the important stuff done! My “Completed Tasks” list was this:

I did read my Bible & pray.
I did send a card to a lady.
I did prepare for Sunday School.
I did do three loads of laundry.
I did cook today.
I did clean something today.
I did read a book aloud today.
I did homeschool four children.
I did play with and change my baby today.
I did talk to my husband today.

It didn’t take a genius to see that I was accomplishing the tasks that needed to be done each day. I was just unhappy because I didn’t get my “me time.” So what? There would be time for “me” when the kids were older, and I have already seen how quickly they grow!

He showed me that I need to praise Him in all things. (1 Thess. 5:18) Just as the picture above says, we must praise God for the blessings of life, even while we’re waiting. Life is still moving along, regardless of our circumstances. We don’t want to wake up one day and see that ten years of waiting have passed, and we were miserable for each day of it! It’s important to find the blessings and emphasize them. One day, “things” will get better, but that doesn’t mean today has to be terrible. God’s blessings are all around us! I must consciously look for them.

My husband says that I’m too hard on myself. I’m a perfectionist and I need to “relax” (his words). I hate being told to relax, but, that’s what I often need to hear. I’m trying to do just that.

Here are some books that helped me:
Suffering and Death: The Saint’s Highest Calling by Henry R. Pike. Don’t let the title scare you. It’s a great book.
By Searching: My Journey through Doubt into Faith by Isobel Kuhn. Another book God used to help me. Follow Isobel Kuhn, missionary to China, as she seeks God and finds Him.

I just wanted to share a bit of my heart. I hope that my struggles might be a stepping stone to help someone else as they sit in the waiting room of life.

With love,

Anniversaries

Valerie Basham

2 comments

October 31, 2012

September and October have been very active “anniversary” months for us! I mentioned before that on September 3, I celebrated blogging for five years.

On September 11, we celebrated two more anniversaries! Before 9/11 was a national day of mourning, it was a day of joy for me. In 1997, on a crisp, starlight evening, my husband got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! 🙂 I usually write a mushy post about it, but since we were away, you were all spared that bit of PDOA. (Public Display of Affection for those who may not know.) I am grateful to be married to a godly, hardworking, handsome man. He is my hero. Like every marriage, we have our moments when life is…hmmm, how do I put this? We have times when life is stressful. But, amazingly, he doesn’t leave me (though I would leave me if I were he) when things are rough. He hangs tough and is usually the one pulling me through. He isn’t perfect, but he’s pretty close. Years ago, he would buy me a single long-stemmed rose for our engagement anniversary. This year, he bought me a chocolate milkshake at Steak ‘n’ Shake! I love that place, and for some reason, the chain hasn’t made it this far South yet. Maybe someday. They have the best milkshakes!

It was yummy! 🙂

On September 11, 2005, my husband was called to pastor his first church in Burnet, Texas. I know! What a busy day for our family! It was a very exciting day to be called to pastor the Northside Baptist Church. It was a dream come true for my husband, and I have never been so happy or proud of him as I was that day. We love those people dearly and miss them still, some four years later. (If any of you from Burnet are reading, I miss you!)

We officially began our ministry there one month later, on October 11, 2005. Which brings me to yet another anniversary! This October 11, we celebrated seven years in the pastorate. We moved from Texas to our current church in Southwest Arkansas in May of 2008. It’s been an amazing ride being a pastor’s wife. I have seen God do great things in my life and teach me some valuable lessons. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been worth it.

I am grateful to the Lord for my husband and the ministry. I have no idea why He blessed me with a great man, or a place in full time Christian service, but I am happy that He did. I am not worthy, and I often fail in my roles as wife/mother/Pastor’s wife, but He loves me anyway.

The past fifteen years in my life and ministry have been a roller coaster ride! I read the following verse yesterday morning and I think it fits perfectly right here:

Notwithstanding, the LORD stood with me, and strengthened me… 2 Timothy 4:17.

I think those are some of the most beautiful words in the Bible! When man has failed me, when life has been unbearable, the LORD has been beside me. He has been, and still is, my strength and my stay.