Proverb 31 Wife: Part 3 Bringing Her Food From Afar

     She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. -Proverbs 31:13-15 (NIV)

     Lets look at this verse in the message translation.  It gives a better insight into how this works for todays wife.

     She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.  She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.  She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
- Proverb 31:13-15 (MSG)

     So let me break this section down.  "She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing."  So to me this verse is saying as a wife we need to be choosing our clothing materials carefully.  Are they good quality?  Are they durable? Ok I know some of you might be saying I don't like kitting or sewing.  Ok I get that.  I think we as wives should at least know how to sew on a button.  I learned how to sew when I was younger.  I took a home economics class in Junior High and in High School.  I also had my grandma that taught me how to sew a little.  As I have gotten older I have found some enjoyment in crocheting.

     "She is like the merchant ship, bringing her food from afar."  I feel that in this part it is saying that as a wife we need to be looking for the best deals on food.  I feel that we need to try new recipes for our family.  Not all the time but every once and awhile.  learn a recipe from your husbands favorite place.  Almost 2 years ago I learned how to make Sushi.  I surprised my husband on our anniversary in 2017 with a Sushi dinner at home.  I have found copy cat recipes from places like Olive Garden, Applebee's, and may other places.  I ask my husband what kind of new things we should try.

This was the Sushi dinner that I made.

     "She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day."  Getting up and making breakfast for your family is a good thing.  I love cooking for my family.  I don't always like cooking for my family, truthfully. I have days were I am burned out and I don't want to cook.  I have found that doing freezer meals has helped me out a lot.  So does menu planning.  Ladies we need to have a good idea for what are day holds.  I we are cleaning, getting meals done, have a play date, homeschooling, kids actives, church actives, and the many other things that we do during our days.  It is good to have a schedule, but one that can flexible.  We need to be good stewards of our time.

     I am constantly checking myself about how I am doing in these areas.  Am I being a good steward in my home? Am I giving my all to the jobs God has placed in my life?  One key is to find a good system to help you plan your day, your menu, and any other things you need to organize.  My challenge to you is to work on organizing your day, or menu planning.

Until next time,
Pitters

 A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. 

Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. 

Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. 

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. 

She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. 

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

 She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden. 

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. 

She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. 

She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. 

She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. 

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. 

She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. 

Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. 

She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. 

Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. 

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. 

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. 

Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:

 "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" 

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

Give her everything she deserves!

Proverb 31:10-31 (MSG)

Proverbs 31 Wife: Part 2 Full confidence

     One way that has helped me to understand Proverbs 31:10-31 better is by reading the different translations of the Bible.  So I will add at the end of each post a different translation. 

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

-Proverbs 31:11-12 (NIV)

     Can you honestly say your husband has full confidence in you?  Are you a wife that is honest and open with your husband?  Can he trust you, with your actions, words and finances?  

     I can honestly tell you that there are times that I feel I don't deserve his full confidence.  At times I don't have the best attitude with him, I say hurtful things. I am not bringing him good at times.  Our husband's confidence is not something we earn once.  We need to keep working on being a wife that he can be confident in. We should always strive to bring our husband good at all times.  Even when we feel he does not deserve it.  That is the key,  EVEN WHEN WE THINK HE DOES NOT DESERVE IT.  It is about respecting our husband as we are instructed to do so in the Bible.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

-Ephesians 5:33

Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children

-Titus 2:4

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as fitting in the Lord.

-Colossians 3:18

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husband as you do to the Lord.

-Ephesians 5:22

     Yes I went there. We should be Biblically submissive to our husbands.  I am not saying be a door mat.  By all means if your husband is doing something against the law and God don't go a long with it.  I feel that Biblically submissiveness is allowing your husband to be the head of your household, to work along side him, to not belittle him, to be his cheerleader in life, and to love him as God loves him.  Men want to know that you respect them, that is one way to show you love them. 

     How can you bring your husband good and not harm?  Well to start speak encouraging words to him.  Speak highly of your husband when you are among your friends.  If you have a beef with him talk to him about it not your friends.  If you have to call him about something that is not an emergency call him on his lunch break. So he does not get in trouble at work.  Find little ways to do good things for him. Dose he like it when you make him a lunch he can take to work?  

     So here is my challenge to you how can you show your husband that he can have full confidence in you? How can you bring him good?

    A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.   She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.   She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.   She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.   She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.   She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.   She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.   In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.   She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.   When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.   Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.   She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.   She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.   She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.   She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.   Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:   "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."   Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.   Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

- Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)

The Proverbs 31 Wife: Part 1

So today I am going to bring up a subject that many women don't like.  The Proverbs 31 wife. There was a time that I felt that I could never be anything close to this seeming unobtainable wifely remodel. I have read, am reading and rereading some very good books on this topic. One thing I have learned is everything that the Proverbs 31 wife is doing in this passage is not all done in one day. Possibly not even in the same season of life. So I have over the years learned to even dare I say like the Proverbs 31 Wife. I like to check myself from time to time to see if I am being the best Proverbs 31 Wife I can be.

I will be writing a series on my thoughts on Proverbs 31:10-31. I hope you all will join me.

What are some of your guys thoughts on the Proverb 31 Wife?  Lets get a decision started!!

Picture of my husband and I. This is one of my favorites of us.  

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?  She is far more precious than rubies.  Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.  She is like a merchant's ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls.  She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.  Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.  She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.  She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.  she makes her own bedspreads. she dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.  Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.  She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.  She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without ear of the future.  When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.  She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.  Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world but you surpass them all!"  Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a women who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.  Reward her for all she has done.  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

- Proverbs 31:10-31 (NLT)

Easy Cheesecake
Ingredients
For the crust:
1-1/4 cups Graham crackers crumbs.
3 Tablespoons Sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
For the Filling:
2- 8oz blocks cream cheese
1 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons sour cream
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
2 Eggs

Instructions
For the crust:
1. Mix the Graham crackers crumbs, sugar, and melted butter and pack mixture firmly into bottom of a spring form pan.
2. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.

For the filling:
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Mix cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice in a mixer.
3. Add eggs one at a time to the mixture and thoroughly combine.
4. The key to getting a really creamy cheesecake is to mix these ingredients together really well until the mixture is kind of think and smooth. (about 4-5 minutes)
5. Pour into pie crust.
6. Bake for about 65-70 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow cheesecake to cool completely in the refrigerator before serving (about 3-4 hours).

You can top this with any topping you would like. I did a chocolate drizzle today. Last time I put mini chocolate chips in the filling and then after baking I put the rest on top.

Freezer Meal Day Part 2

                                                          Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

1lb bag of elbow macaroni noodles
8oz of shredded cheddar cheese
4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
8oz heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste (I like to use a mix of white and black pepper)
4 tablespoons of flour

1. Boil the noodles until al dente. Don't forget to salt you water.
2. Melt you butter in a sauce pan.  Add flour and cook for about 3 minutes.
3. Add the heavy cream. bring to a simmer.
4. Add the shredded cheese and whisk until smooth.
5. Save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Then drain the noodles.
6. Mix noodles and cheese sauce together. Add a little of the pasta water to the macaroni and cheese. Mix well.
7. Let cool and then package then into freezer safe packaging.
8. Thaw and reheat in the oven at 350 for 20-30 min. Or until heated through.

Freezer Meal Cooking Day Part 1

So last month was a crazy busy month for us.  I decided that knowing how busy the next few weeks re going to be that I should make some freezer meals.  That also included breakfast.    

Breakfast burritos.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 lbs. little red patatoes
2 table spoon of Olive Oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 dozen large eggs
24 taco size flour tortilla
2 cups of shredded cheese
1 bell pepper (small diced)
1 lb. bacon

1. Wash and quarter the potatoes. Toss the potatoes in the olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake @350 for 20-30 minutes or until fork tender and golden brown.
2. Wisk all the eggs in a bowl and add 1 cup of cheese, the diced bell pepper, salt and pepper. Scramble the eggs.
3. you can either Back the bacon or fry the bacon your choice. I cut them in half so they would fit better in the taco size tortillas
4. Mix eggs and potatoes together.
5. Place egg mixture, a slice of bacon and a little shredded cheese into the middle of the tortilla.
6. Fold in the side of the tortilla and roll.
7. wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag.
8. to reheat place on microwave safe plate and heat for 2-3 minutes. until heated through.