Just a BlinkProof Time Flies

Proverbs 31:15

…she provides food for her family…

I picked up an old fashioned photo album from the thrift store today. Remember when people used to have real photos? Now its like, “here look at my phone, here is my daughters dance recital.” In other words, the thrift store was full of photo albums.

Of course the album’s cover design was a delightful modern bouquet of faded 1990′s pastel glory. So, I had to get crafty with it. Isn’t that the point of getting a thrifty score?

It went a little something like this

Our Family Meals. 31 meals collected just for us. I am hoping this “family cookbook” will simplify my process in providing food for my family.

Love,

Jess

This post was linked up with Somewhat Simple

Proverbs 31:15

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

Just checking in to say I’m busy working on verse 15.

I came up with a recipe file of 31 family meals.

I started feeding the babies baby mush cereal. Leah likes it the best.

I made a portion of {birthday} food for my worker.

I am giving myself a lot of homework for this verse so I’ll be writing on it for a while. (or until a different verse catches my attention more )

Coming Up: Menu planning, freezer inventory, shopping list, coupons, recipes

Love,

Jess

{Hi, I’m back. I took an unexpected blogging break. Recovering from a 103 F fever will do that to a person.  I added new pages to my navigation bar during my week off. Check them out, Meet Jess and Welcome to Just a Blink.}

Onto the task before me…try to learn about the wisdom found in Proverbs 31, hands on.

Proverbs 31:14

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

photo credit: anthropologie

Like merchant ships she brings food from a far – basically grocery shopping.

Grocery shopping with 4 kids 5 and under!? Not. going. to. happen. Can you even image the scene? Cart wheels squeaking, breast milk leaking, children fighting, babies crying. Even on a good day, where would I put the food?

Enter online shopping

I am fortunate to have a local service in my community that provides pick-up or delivery service. The small fee I pay for having someone else shop the aisles for me and bring the food to my house, is worth every penny.

Shopping online provides the opportunity to watch my finances. I can easily “put back” items that have put my budget over. I can also stick to my list a lot better when I don’t have the chance to roam to the “other side” of Target. You know what I am talking about…holiday decor, clothes, clearance end caps and toys.

Add extra help

Even the thought of taking all the little ones (in this freezing weather) on a small trip to restock fresh foods or small items can really wear me down. I try to ask for help whenever I need some assistance. I love my friends and family!

The wisdom

Being wise is knowing when to push yourself and knowing when to set your limits. I set my sails to gather food, I just require a crew to help me navigate the way home.

Love,

Jess

I’ll be back with more grocery and meal planning adventures.

Proverbs 31:12

She gathers wool and flax and works with eager hands

Today, I had a  yummy mid-morning snack.

Recipe adapted from the back of the Hodgson Mill Flax Seed box:

• 1/4 cup Millled Flax Seed
• 1-1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Couple shakes of cinnamon
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 -1/2 cups finely chopped apples
• 3 tsp. vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (I think I’d skip the nuts next time)
• 1/4 cup cut up butterscotch chips (mini-cinnamon chips would be better)

Blend dry ingredients together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine egg, vegetable oil and milk. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and stir until just blended. Fold in apples and nuts and chips. Batter will be thick. Fill well-greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes (Mine only took 14 min. in a dark muffin tin) or until top springs back when touched. Yield: 12 muffins

Okay, onto WOOL!

Love,

Jess