Encouragement Archives - Page 8 of 12

Fun Family Dinner Ideas {Backwards Night & More!}

In a quest to make mealtimes more fun, I’ve collected quite a few entertaining ideas to bring a little pizzazz to the table, like Backwards Dinner Night – a fun and whimsical way to do dinner in reverse!

This is just one of the many ideas that I’m sharing over at Keeper of the Home in my special guest post – Making Mealtimes FUN!

Backwards Dinner Night!
So, what’s up with Backwards Dinner Night? It’s simply a fun way to bring a little humor and excitement to the table by doing everything in reverse!

As shown in the photo above, set the table by turning your tablecloth upside down, as well as your dishes and silverware too. (You may even want to wear your clothes inside out and backwards?) Then, start dinner with dessert first! (Of course, a perfect option is my apple streusel upside down cake.) Then move on to the main course, followed by salad or an appetizer served last. It may sound silly (and it is), but it’s so much fun!

More FUN Dinner Themes & Ideas!
Looking for more great ideas for putting a little fun into your mealtime routines? Then please pop over to Keeper of the Home to check out my special post – Making Mealtimes FUN! It’s chock full of inspiring ideas your whole family will enjoy –especially the kiddos!

P.S. An easy way to ensure you remember all of the nifty ideas I’m sharing over at Keeper of the Home is to simply pin (or FB share) the post, so you can always refer back to it when you’re in the mood for a little extra mealtime FUN!

We’d love to hear from YOU!
Do you have some fun and creative ways to make mealtimes more fun? Please pop over to Keeper of the Home and share them with us. Thanks, friends!

Joyfully serving HIM, Kelly

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Discovering the Heart of True Hospitality

By Kelly · 23 Comments

Today, I’m thrilled to have a very special guest join us. It’s my dear friend Ruth from GraceLaced. She is truly one of the most hospitable women I know. That’s why I’m excited that she’s graciously offered to share a bit of her wisdom with us on how we can experience the joy of blessing others through practicing true hospitality!

Discovering the Heart of True Hospitality
by Ruth Simons, GraceLaced

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we live in a culture that loves to entertain, but rarely shows true hospitality. We pin endless links to great party ideas and beautiful photos of elegantly set tables and thematic dinners. I love all that. But, how daunting it must feel to read about hospitality in the Bible and have those images from Pinterest pop in your head.

Is that what hospitality looks like? What does it take to be hospitable?

What we think hospitality is:
• pressed linens
• home-cooked four-course meal
• spotless home
• fresh flowers
• matching dishes
• quiet children

What True Hospitality really is:
• sharing what you have
• sharing who you are
• involving your children in serving
• inviting others into your home
• inviting others into your real life
• being available when a need arises

What we have to believe to be truly hospitable:
• that we have to get over our pride
• that our sense of perfection is a lie
• that our possessiveness about personal time can be simply selfishness at times
• that we are hospitable unto the Lord and not for reciprocation or accolades
• that our provisions come from God, who owns everything
• that He gave to us for us to give generously
• that the most important thing we can share is not food or our home, but Christ, himself.

You see, hospitality is not about impressing or entertaining. As my wise mom-in-law shared with me in a Special Interview on Hospitality – True hospitality is about extending all that God’s given you…to another. I pray this encourages you to see hospitality in a new light – one that makes much of Christ and less of you.

How can you get started with being more hospitable? Here are a few simple suggestions:
• Hospitality isn’t limited to just dinnertime. It can also happen over a simple breakfast or lunch.
• Mid-mornings and mid-afternoons can also be a wonderful time to set aside for occasional get-togethers with other moms. Simply raid your pantry for dried fruit and nuts, and your fridge for cheese, to make a simple snack platter to share, along with a little spot of tea.
• Do you go to a Bible Study? Consider making an easy snack, and quickly picking up around the house before you leave, so that you can invite a new friend or two over after the study to get to know one another better.
• Surprise a single friend with a last-minute invite to join your family for dinner.
• Once a week, make an extra big batch of something super simple for dinner and offer to bring a meal to another family who may be having a difficult week.

Everything we do ultimately stems from our beliefs. Our theology defines our methodology. It is no different when it comes to hospitality. True Hospitality is a desire to bless, as you have been blessed. We don’t show hospitality to others simply because we have a new recipe to show off, a home that feels clean, or even a desire to help someone out. Our hospitality should flow from a heart that desires to honor and bless the Lord.

When He is our Guest of Honor, there is no end to the richness of our hospitality, or the fruit of what can become of simply opening our hearts and our homes to others.

Meet Ruth!
Ruth is the author of Gracelaced where she writes about finding grace in the everyday life. Her days are filled with 5 energetic boys, whom she homeschools part-time through the Classical school her husband heads and co-founded. She has recently transitioned out of her 10 year role as a Pastor’s wife through which she has consistently learned this marvelous truth that keeps her going each and every day: “The Lord is not through with us yet.”

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Healthy Homemade Gifts-in-a-Jar {7 Recipes & Tips for Using Your Own Favorite Recipes}

By Kelly · 17 Comments

One of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions is to make homemade gifts in a jar. And the wonderful thing is, they’re as much fun to make together, as they are to give to others! Simply layer the ingredients of a favorite recipe in a jar, then add a festive ribbon and tag, and there you have it – a thoughtful gift made with love.

There are certainly a ton of gifts-in-a-jar recipes out there, but unfortunately, many rely on unhealthy ingredients. So I thought it would be fun to share just a few of my favorites with the hope that this may help you to create some healthy homemade gifts of your own! And certainly, if you have some whole food based gift-jar recipes, please share a link to them in the comments below.

My Top 7 Favorite GF Whole Food Gifts-in-Jar Recipes

1. Fruit-in-Nut Bars in a Jar – These mock KIND Fruit-n-Nut Bars have been one of the most popular recipes I’ve posted this year. I modified the recipe a bit so it makes a beautiful and delicious gift-in-a-jar.

2. Slow Cooker Spiced Holiday Nuts – This year, we’ll be spreading holiday cheer with this delightful Spiced Holiday Nuts Gift-in-a-Jar recipe. These tasty nuts capture the aroma and flavor of the holiday season with just a hint of cayenne, giving them an extra kick of flavor. Honestly, it’s almost impossible to stop eating them!

3. Raw Cookie Dough Bites Mix in a Jar – My popular Raw Cookie Dough Bites recipe also works beautifully as a gift in a jar. Bet you can’t eat just one!

4. Pumpkin Pie Muffins Mix in a Jar – A much requested favorite, my GF pumpkin muffin recipe makes a beautiful and tasty gift in a jar!

5. Jumbleberry Jam in a Jar – You can use any whole food jam recipe to create a delicious holiday gift. I especially love to give my family’s favorite – Jumbleberry Jam – it’s secret ingredient allows the jam to set without the use of pectin powders!

6. Slow Cooker Apple Butter in a Jar – This traditional fall-inspired spread is so easy to make! And it’s so delicious – your friends and family will love it!

7. Healthy Homemade Granola Gifts-in-a-Jar – whether it’s my soaked oat granola or grain-free granola – the delicious versatility of homemade granola makes it a thoughtful and welcomed gift!

BONUS: Looking for even more great grain-free gift in a jar ideas? Check out “The Best Homemade Holiday Gifts-in-a-Jar” – my special guest post at Keeper of the Home.

Tips for Creating Your Own Homemade Gifts from the Heart!
When thinking about which of your favorite recipes will work well as a gift-in-the-jar, it’s important to consider the following:
• Will the recipe ingredients fit in a standard size mason jar, such as a half-pint, pint or quart?
• How easy is the recipe to assemble? Are the additional items needed to complete the recipe standard ingredients that most people have on hand?
• How will you include instructions for making the recipe? (My preferred option is to include the instructions inside a card and place the card and gift jar into a recycled gift bag.)
• What are the storage requirements for the gift jar – should it be refrigerated or stored at room temp? And for how long? (Be sure these are explained to the recipient.)

I hope these ideas inspire you to create some healthy homemade holiday gifts of your own! Wishing you and your family many blessings for a joyful and Merry Christmas!

Joyfully Serving Him, Kelly