Freeing Up Dinner Time with Freezer Meals

Picture take from
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/
Cooking-Style/Freezer-Meal-Recipes?keycode=ZPIN1012

There's a slew of info on freezer meals floating on the web. Geez-o-pete--like A TON of info! Just type in Freezer meals as a Pinterest search and your computer may or may not break down from all of the recipes cluttering the screen. Just warning you.

Though I've never liked the thought of freezer meals...ugh, anything frozen and not fresh upsets my pallet, I have to admit freezer meals, WHEN MADE, are rather tasty, healthy (can be), and convenient. Life is busy. I don't have to tell you that. With Stephen being deployed, life seems to be a bit busier. It's difficult admitting I need help, and even more difficult to ask for help, but if I don't want to turn into a tyrannical-crazy-haired-lunatic mom, I need to just admit I cannot do it all, and do things that will lighten my load--even if that means embracing freezer meals. Hey, it works!

I've menu planned for years! It makes life easier, and you really do save money. CHA CHING!  I'm hoping to share some great info on menu planning soon. Stay tuned! Anyway, I just add freezer meals to our family menu on the days they would be most convenient ie. if Wednesdays are hectic, or I know we a school play Monday night, etc.   Most of these meals  can be split into two or even three meals (we eat less when Stephen is gone). I can use those meals for another night of the month, the next month, 3 months later,  or give those meals away to someone who just had a baby or another family going through a deployment. Freezer meals can bless your belly and bless others! Who knew a freezer meal could be so spiritual? lol.

Great blog on all things freezer meals, recipes included! Click here!

A great friend of mine, fellow Army Wife and Freezer Meal Guru (That's my title for her), Lindsey Carl  has some great tips on Freezer Cooking. Check out what she has to say below:


 Freezer Meal Cooking is not a one-size-fits all! There are many ways to freezer cook!

• Double duty – easiest and most painless way to fill your freezer is to double tonight’s dinner and freeze the extra!
• Short by Sweet – mini sessions are short cooking sessions focused on a certain protein or main ingredient. This is typically done once a week. 
• “Once a Month” Cooking- with careful planning, 4-6 hours one day can result in a month’s work of meals, the key is to have a great cooking plan! The key is to at least tripling a recipe. It really doesn’t save you anytime if you make 1 of 12 different meals rather than 3 of 4 different meals!

Plan for success – Steps for a Successful Freezer Meal Session

• Choose the Freezer Meal cooking method that works best for you and your family! If you are brand new, start small and grow to being a “once a month” mom. Start by doubling your recipes and gradually grow as you feel more confident.
• Get organized! Every session begins with a plan, which includes a shopping list and a prep list.
• Consolidate ingredients common to several recipes.  Be sure you know exactly what you need and where to find everything before you go shopping. 
• For example, your grocery shopping list might look something like: 

                        Onions llll …meaning you need to buy 4 onions
                        Cheddar Cheese Illll ll …meaning you need enough for 7 cups of shredded cheese
                        Ground Beef lll …meaning you need 3 pounds of ground beef
                        Garlic l …meaning you need 1 head of garlic (I personally like minced garlic the best)

• Go shopping! Take you list and buy your groceries!
• Follow your prep list to chop dice, and otherwise organize your ingredients. 
• Your master prep list might look like this:

                    — cook 4 cups beans
                    — cook & chop 6-8 cups chicken
                    — cook 1 cup rice
                    — shred blocks of cheddar cheese
                    — chop 3 onions
                    — chop 5 cloves of garlic
                    — make pizza dough
                    — thaw ground beef for meatloaf
                    — brown 4 lbs. ground beef
                    — boil noodles for lasagna

• Label bags, assemble recipes, and freeze. 
• Your master cook list might look something like this:

                      — Do all prep work
                     — Mix up pancake batter/butterhorns
                     — Make broccoli & double cheese calzones
                     — Make lasagnas
                     — Make chicken & red bean burritos & brown bag burritos
                     — Make white bean & chicken chili
                     — Make cheesburger meatloaf
                     —Make taco meat
                     — Make lemon chicken

***Helpful Tips for Packing and Freezing***

• Freezer bags are key! Make sure you remove as much air as possible from the food in order to prevent ice crystals!
• Glad Bakeware is awesome! It can be put in the freezer and oven!
• Heat & Eat! Thaw entrees as you need weeknight meals. Once defrosted, you can quickly prepare home-cooked meals for your family – even on the busiest nights!

Common Questions

• What if I have limited freezer space?
• Choose recipes for dishes that are easily stored in plastic freezer bags tahter than making dishes. Freeze these entrees flat, and once they are frozen, line them up vertically like you would books on a bookshelf. 
• Make only 1 or 2 recipes at a time
• Pick recipes with lower yields. 
• Consider trading with a friend to maximize variety while conserving freezer space
• What can I freeze?
• Short answer. A lot! There are countless recipes on Pinterest, cookbooks, and the web for freezer cooking, but most of your favorite meals can be frozen. Meatloaf, meatballs, hamburger patties, marinated meat & poultry, casseroles, lasagna, enchiladas, stews, soups, and chili to name a few!
• What can’t you freeze?
• Here are a few things better left unfrozen: uncooked potatoes, anything with mayonnaise (including dips, chicken salad, casseroles, etc.), lettuce greens, and other raw veggies, block & sliced cheese
• Will my food taste funny? 
• Often people worry that their frozen foods will have a funny taste or develop unsightly ice crystals. These problems are easily avoided if the food is cooled, packaged, and stored correctly. The cooler the food is before it goes in the freezer, the faster it will freeze and prevent the crystals, therefore putting your meal in the fridge before the freezer is always a good idea!

Branding Myself

At the suggestion of a sweet friend, I'm trying my hand at "author branding." 

Branding brings an image to mind of a red hot rod being jabbed onto the hind quarters of a cow. Nice. Now, I'm a cow. Great.  Author branding, so I'm learning, is basically all about turning myself into a logo. My readers should know what it is I write about. Ugh...that's hard for me, 'cause I write about all sorts of random things, lol. BUT after some soul searching, and many trips to my Keurig, I think I have found my author identity or my logo if you will. I'm a Christian...can't hide that. I'm also an Army Wife...can't get around that.  I'm an activist at heart. Injustice brings out the insane momma bear in me...can't tame that. All of these elements that make me who I am pop up in my Fiction writing and my blogging. So, without further adieu, I am Hannah Conway, Contemporary Fiction Author, Letting Freedom Ring~Galatians 5:13!!  Notice the dual meaning of letting freedom ring? The patriotic and spiritual connotations?

Ugh. I didn't hear any applause at my reveal, lol. No laughing, it's my first go at author branding. Now I just need to learn how to make my blog POP! I need more techy friends.
Thoughts??

The Deployment Ride

It's been right at three months since Stephen deployed--6 more to go! Six months sounds like a long time, but I won't complain, it could be worse. The last deployment ended up being 15 months--ugh--so 6 more months is so doable!

Since he has been gone, I've been working on my Deployment Bucket List that I created. :)  To read more on that, click here.  Meh, it's coming along. I have cleaned the garage, which ended up being a terrifying experience after I uncovered the world's last known prehistorically large centipede hanging out behind some boxes. Yeah, I totally screamed. Just like I wanted, I turned portions of the kitchen into chalkboards, YAY, and I have been slowly redecorating our bedroom. Still on the high priority end is to update the kiddo's rooms! 

On this deployment I have learned how to use a saw and drill without destroying my project. I have learned how to change air filters! I've learned the power of meal planning! I've also learned how to make a few mean freezer meals--I will totally share those recipes with you all soon! A lesson that I continue to learn is just how  "enough" God is for me when I'm laying in bed at night wishing Stephen was cuddled next to me, or when I'm drained from a day of chasing sticky, screaming kids...God is enough. He provides enough energy for me, enough rest, enough peace, enough protection. He provides me with enough of everything to get me through the next day, and the next, and the next.  There have been highs and lows on this deployment ride, and there will be more, but I know that God will always be enough and all that I need to get me through.  

I've also  learned that the greatest way to make the best of this crazy deployment ride is by sharing the journey. A portion of sharing that journey has opened up several windows of opportunity, to include the world of writing. Yep, I did it! I completed a novel and am working tirelessly to find a publisher to sweep me off my feet. My first interview went out recently, check it out by clicking here! :) 

Six more months to go...bring it! 

Guest & Author Pam Hillman, Claiming Mariah

Welcome Pam!! :) Thanks for joining us!

Shelf Life

By Pam Hillman

The men in my family are sticklers about the dates on canned goods. If the date is expired on a can of vegetables, they won’t eat them. Expired ketchup? Fuh-get-about-it! Mayonaise? You’ve GOT to be kidding?

But don’t expect them to actually open the oldest bottle first. Oh no! That would take way too much time and thought. No, they grab the newest one...unless I hide it. Just sayin’

Big ticket items like cars and homes kinda have a shelf life. I mean it’s not stamped on your house, “will expire in 40 years”, but eventually these material things will become run-down, decay, wear out. Even stone castles don’t last forever.

You would think that our very lives have a shelf life. I mean we’re born, we grow, learn, advance in age, then end up as senior citizens, and pass on from this life. But do we really have a shelf life? Can anybody put a stamp on us that says, “you’re done”?

No, not really. God is the only one who can put a time stamp on us, and even then, we’re not “done for”. As long as we put our trust in God, we’ll never, EVER be done for. We’ll spend the rest of eternity in Heaven with Him. Wow! Christians have a shelf life that extends into eternity and beyond. Now that a shelf life to get excited about, isn’t it?

While you savor that tidbit, let’s focus on books for a moment. Print books can have a long, healthy shelf life if properly taken care of, but they do age after time. The pages become brittle, the binding loose, spines stiff. So, yeah, sad to say, but books have a shelf life.

Ebooks have burst on the scene in the last few years, so it will be interesting to see what kind of shelf life they have. They won’t face the same decaying forces of humidity, or dry air, or neglect that cause print books to decay, but they might encounter changes in software and hardware that might make them obsolete over time. Looking at it from this side of the fence, it looks like ebooks will have a long and productive shelf life.

Purchase

My current novel, Claiming Mariah, is an ebook from Tyndale House. I definitely want it to have a long shelf life, as an ebook and as a print book someday. My debut novel, Stealing Jake, released in July, 2011, and it’s still clocking along nicely eighteen months later. With a click of a button, fans can download either book instantly.

And that kind of shelf life makes me smile.

~

Pam Hillman was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn’t afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove the Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn’t mind raking. Raking hay doesn’t take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that’s the kind of life every girl should dream of! Claiming Mariah is her second novel.

Pam is thrilled to announce the release of her second novel,

Claiming Mariah

To celebrate, Pam is giving away two eReaders

(choice of Kindle Wi-Fi, 6" Display, or Nook Simple Touch) to

Two Winners.

Two ways to win: Like Pam Hillman’s Author page on facebook and/or sign up for Pam’s newsletter.

Registering both places is not required but will double your chances of winning. Also keep in mind that you will receive updates more often being connected on facebook than through the newsletter. Just sayin’

Contest runs from January 1^st until March 31^st, 2013.

And....that’s not all! There will be prizes offered randomly during the tour. The best way to keep up with these is to check in regularly on the facebook page.

The Prize Vault is Open!

Like Pam’s facebook author page and click on Events to find out about current giveaways.

PREVIOUS STOPS ON TOUR – A Two-For-One

January 2^nd - http://southernwritersmagazine.blogspot.com/

January 2^nd: http://gingersolomon.blogspot.com/

NEXT STOP ON TOUR:

January 4^th: http://www.lorilynroberts.blogspot.com

Clickfor a Complete List of Stops Along the Tour

www.pamhillman.com

Keeping Your Kids Healthy Naturally: Interview with Lisa Smith

Today we welcome Lisa Smith, a Natural Health & Wellness Consultant with Shaklee for over 20 years. Lisa is here today to share with us about how she keeps her family healthy all year long naturally and provides a nice life for her family through Shaklee Health and Wellness Products. 

Lisa: That's right! First of all, thank you Hannah for inviting me on your blog! I know you love the Shaklee products as well and have had great results with your son who struggled with eczema. 
 

Yes, I love the products and my son doesn't struggle with eczema or earaches anymore. I could go on and on about Shaklee, but Lisa, I would love for you to share your story.  Would you begin by sharing with everyone what Shaklee is?
 



Lisa Smith and Family

Lisa: Well, Shaklee has been the nation's number one natural health and wellness company for over 50 years. The products are always safe, always natural and always guaranteed to work--we have the research from the nation's leading health professionals to prove it. Our products have even been featured on Oprah and Dr. Oz. 

                                         

  Click Here to See the Shaklee Difference

Thank you, Lisa. Can you tell us your story and how Shaklee has helped your family?

Lisa: Sure.  My father introduced me to Shaklee in 1985. He began using Shaklee Basic H which is a natural cleaning product, on his farmground as a soil enhancer. Shaklee nutrition made a big difference in the health of my parents as well.

I have been using Shaklee products for 25 years and have had great health benefits for myself and my family. We started our business with Shaklee along with my cosmetology career in 1984. I used the skincare and cosmetics on all of the clients in my salon. In 1992 I closed my hair salon and went full time in Shaklee. I have been a stay at home mom for the past 21 years enjoying a GREAT lifestyle along with our family.

We have 3 boys Joshua-21, Jacob-18, Noah-11. They have been raised on Shaklee products and have enjoyed great health. We have had only 2 antibiotics between the three boys in 21 years and only 1 of our sons has had an ear infection.

I have to interrupt here. Did you say in 21 years of parenting only one of your sons has had an ear infection and you have only had 2 antibiotic prescriptions.  That is unheard of!

Lisa: Yes, that's right. Just two antibiotics and one ear infection. You know, Hannah, God gave us awesome bodies and when we give them the nutrition they need, it's amazing what kind of healing can take place. 

How has Shaklee changed your family's life financially?

Lisa: Hannah, I can't even begin to tell you what a blessing this business has been. When my husband was laid off, our Shaklee income was all we had, and without it meant our family would have sunk. Right now I make over $100,000 every year and have made over a million dollars in this business since I started. I did all of this in the middle of a cornfield in Indiana all by just helping people out. When you share Shaklee, you change lives...you get to give health. I am the luckiest woman a live because I get to help others every single day and make a living doing it. So far,through Shaklee, we have been on 20 all expense paid trips from Shaklee including such beautiful places as: Maui, Hawaii, the Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii, 5 Caribbean cruises, an Alaskan Cruise, Barcelona, Spain, San Diego, California, New Orleans, Louisianna, and Vancouver, Canada, and most recently Atlantis, Bahamas.

Our oldest son Joshua graduated with a Bachelors degree in animation from the Art Institute of Indianapolis. He recently became a FAST TRACK DIRECTOR and has decided to build a Shaklee business to help pay off his college debt! Our son Jacob also wants to build a Shaklee business when he turns 18 this summer! It is exciting when your children want to build a Shaklee career with you! 

We thank God everyday for our Shaklee business.

What advice would you give Momma's out there wanting to keep their family's healthy all year long the natural way?

Lisa: I would tell them to call you up right now Hannah and start their children out on the Shaklee products. Start with the cleaners. It's important to get the toxic things out of your home. Then move on the vitamins. I would love to talk with your viewers to share more info on Shaklee products.

Lisa, thank you for sharing with us today!

No problem!! Here's to your and your viewer's health! :) 

Lisa Would Love to Hear From You! Tell her Hannah says Hi!

Email: ljsmith9395@embarqmail.com 
Website: http://lsmith.myshaklee.com/us/en/about_our-shaklee-story.html

Sandy Hook Elementary Shootings

Picture taken from www.elmont.org

Our world is even more aware of the existence of evil, after the horrible tragedy on Friday that claimed the lives of 20 beautiful children and 6 brave adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Sending my son to school today was difficult. To see him get on the bus made me cringe.  I felt uneasy about sending my Second Grader to school. Was he going to be safe? I made myself nauseous mapping out ways that an intruder would be able to gain access to his room--it really would be all to easy. The truth is, it would be easy for someone to inflict damage on anyone of us if that was their intent. 

 As a nation, our hearts are broken for such devastating loss of innocence. Our children bring us such hope and joy. If adults could learn to harness the simple purity of a child's perspective on life, then the world would be a better place. Jesus knew what He was saying when He talked about having faith like a child. Children are what is good in this world, and worthy of our protection.

Many ask why God allows horrible things like this happen. They wonder where He was. I don't have the answers...I don't know why this happened. But I know that God is good and that people are not. 

Today, pray for the families of the victims. Pray that God surrounds them with His peace and comfort. Thank God that courage, and good still exists in this corrupt world and join me as I pray Psalm 91 over our children, our schools, our families, friends, and our country. 

Psalm 91

^1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

^14-16 “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
    “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
    if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
    I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”

Biblical UNICORNS!!

Taken from http://www.bbspot.com
/news/2005/01/tsunami_relief.html

What did I MOST want as a little girl?? A UNICORN!! I seriously begged God for a Unicorn!! Good grief those creatures are crazy beautiful! May I ask, what young girl wouldn't want one? My precious one horned stallion would have been named Bellerella,  after all of my two favorite Disney Princesses! Bellerella is a pretty amazingly clever name for a unicorn if I say so myself, and it pretty much oozes awesomeness!

While Unicorns are thought to be fictitious creatures found in fairy tales, the Bible actually says otherwise! No snickering! THIS IS FOR REAL! Don't be a Unicorn hater. In the King James Version of the Bible Unicorns are mentioned in Job, Psalms, and Isaiah.

"[...] the biblical unicorn was a real animal, not an imaginary creature. The Bible refers to the unicorn in the context of familiar animals, such as peacocks, lambs, lions, bullocks, goats, donkeys, horses, dogs, eagles, and calves (Job 39:9–12.¹) In Job 38–41, God reminded Job of the characteristics of a variety of impressive animals He had created, showing Job that God was far above man in power and strength.² Job had to be familiar with the animals on God’s list for the illustration to be effective [...]"

To read more of this article, click here.

The article goes on to burst my bubble and smash my dreams by saying that this Unicorn in the Bible isn't like the horse-like beauty we would think, but a more of a beastly, strong, horned animal. Boo. Some scholars think that the Biblical Unicorn could be a Rhino.

Taken from: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/
animals/mammals/black-rhinoceros/

 Nice. Whatever it is or was isn't something we will probably find out this side of heaven. Still, it's pretty cool to know that Unicorns are mentioned in the Bible. IT MADE MY DAY!

Life's Mortifying Moments

I've had some whoppers when it comes to mortify-ingly embarrassing moments, many of which, I just flat out REFUSE to share on the blog-o-sphere. Today, however, I had a pretty horrible/awkward/mortifying moment that I just have to share!

My son is used to my crazy antics. Singing and dancing around the house, making goofy faces, and just being silly. He has pretty much seen it all from me putting spaghetti noodles in my hair just to see if he notices to making strange smoothies and seeing how long it takes me to chug it. Basically, my son often has a big kid for a mother...which has many benefits. I am a stickler on manners, respect, hard work and doing your best, but I also like to have a good time with the kiddos just goofing off with them.

 Officially my son saw me do the craziest thing today which tops MY PERSONAL chart of Mortifying Moments (Yup, I have a chart!!). Awkward/Mortifying moment of the day: While doing sit-ups in my bathroom floor--naked-- before hopping into the shower, my son walks in!!! I'm blushing right now!! HORRIBLE MOMENT! Fortunately, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, my scream seemed to blur his vision which miraculously allowed me time to grab a towel! 

He said, "Um, Mom...what are you doing?"  The smarty pants in me wanted to say "Trying to fix what you and your sister did to my stomach," but I figured that was not only rude, and unloving to say but would probably result in intense therapy later in his life. Instead, I just stuttered, finally able to spit out, "I'm exercising."  "That's weird, Mom," was all I got in reply. Nice. 

Any Mortifying Moments you all care to share??

God & Science, BFF's

Image from: http://www.iibloom.com

During my high school years, I remember hearing rumors of picketing parents outside of schools all up in arms about the Theory of Evolution being taught in their child's Biology class. This theory, and much of what Science has to offer, seems to have many Christian's fuming hotter than their torches. I say, "Put down those torches...Science isn't an ogre!" Our faith doesn't have to be bullied by Science and its theories.

God KNOWS science and it doesn't offend Him! Science only proves the existence God. As we seek to learn more about creation, life, elements etc., it only makes us more in awe of our Creator! Everything we see, touch, smell, and hear around us screams "I have an incredible creator." His fingerprints are on all of creation! Why not study science? It's just another way of getting to know the God we were made to know.

A great friend of mine, Purdue University Professor, Erica Carlson--Condensed Matter Physicist & Part Time Apologetics Fanatic (That is my title for her, lol), explains creation and other "things" from a Biblical, Scientific point of view that will ROCK your world! Listen to Erica's podcasts by clicking here and feel free to share them with your friends and family. Even though Erica is ridiculously smart, she is able to explain all of this "sciencie stuff" in a way that is easy to grasp. After listening, I found myself even more in amazed by God...and more aware of how BIG and POWERFUL and GENIUS He is!

Wanna hear more about God and Science shaking hands? Check out apologetics.com

General Petraeus Sex Scandal

Scandal, scandal! Yet another Political Sex Scandal! 

Pic taken from nydailynews.com

Why does this shock me? Why does this shock us, America?  It’s no news that Washington has a history of Sex Scandals dating back to…well…since the VERY BEGINNING! Sex Scandals have written history! David and Bathsheba, anyone? Samson and Delilah, ring a bell? JFK and the voluptuous Marilyn Monroe. Even Benjamin Franklin had his share of mistresses!  I could go on and on!  I could also dive into the psychology of an affair, but I won’t…not today at least, the point is, infidelity has been rocking our world since pretty much the dawn of man.

Click to read the whole Petraeus ordeal

I think our feathers are all in a ruffle over General Petraeus’ infidelity because we expect MORE from our leaders. Fair or not, our leaders—Political and Spiritual—are held to a higher standard. We TRUST them to always do the right thing! An Officer leads by example, and I am sorry to say, but his example is crippling. Our soldiers and their families have been stretched to the limit, many families have already crumbled under the weight of this war, and the last thing we need to hear about is the World’s Greatest General crumbling his own life.

As an Army wife, this whole thing makes me sick, and my heart goes out to the General’s family. Although my inner redneck woman would like to take a frying pan to the General, my heart hurts for him too. He is, after all, just a man…someone who sins like everyone else. Sin is a funny thing…it’s a very selfish thing ‘cause we never consider who all will be casualties of the crossfire.  I will be praying for Mrs. Petraeus, the General, his children, and for an uprising of moral leaders in our country on the political and spiritual spectrum.  

Click to read last week's Q and A with Author Joanne Bischof author of Be Still My Soul, which has some scandal in it as well! Blush, blush! lol :) Really, it's not that scandalous or I wouldn't have read it!

Q and A with Author Joanne Bischof

Please welcome our wonderfully fabulous guest, Author and friend, Mrs. Joanne Bischof! (The crowd goes wild! I can't hear!! The applause sounds like stampeding buffalo--as if any anyone now knows what that sounds like, lol). 

Joanne, thank you for joining me on my blog, and taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer my prying questions! I appreciate you! Joanne is debut author who just released her novel, Be Still My Soul--a fabulous study worthy must read! Click here to read the rave review!

Without further a due, welcome Mrs. Bischof!

1: When did you begin writing, and what do you love most about being an Author?

I began writing when I was little. The first story I can remember was one I wrote in third grade. I was in love with the written word. The best part about it was that my parents really encouraged me in that area. If it was my passion, they were just as excited about it. I love writing. I love creating characters and getting to know them—their passions, fears and their struggles and hopes. My favorite thing about being an author is connecting with people. I love to talk books and characters and whenever I get a note from a reader who was touched or blessed by one of my stories—it’s one of the greatest moments. And it’s never about me…I’m so glad that I write stories about God’s love. I think that is something people can get excited about.

2: Can you give a little insight on your journey to publication? How did it all start? What was the process?

 It was when I had the three books that make up the Cadence of Grace series finished that I first began querying agents. I queried over a dozen, and while many passed, a few of them hitched their door open, wanting to see more. One of those agents was Sandra Bishop with MacGregor Literary. I sent her the manuscript. I heard back that she liked what she had read and had an editor in mind. It was one of those pinch me moments. We worked on my proposal, submitted it and then waited.

As the proposal went further down the line, passing through the different levels of consideration, I got more and more nervous and more and more excited! I spent a lot of time praying and talking with God—the waiting wasn’t easy, a year to be exact, but He was with me the whole time, teaching me lessons about patience and faith that I wouldn’t have learned any other way. The manuscript headed to pub board which is where the BIG decision happens. The editorial team gets together with sales, marketing, and top decision makers and they basically negotiate over your proposal. I remember the day it went. I was SO nervous the whole day. A while later, I got the call from my agent. That year of waiting ended with a 3-book contract from WaterBrook Multnomah. It was an incredible moment.

3: How has becoming an Author changed your life? Your faith?

Probably the biggest way it’s changed my life is that it’s brought me out of my shell. I’m a super shy person and being an author has changed that. And I’m so glad! I realize now how much of life could have passed me by if I’d always been too shy to step out of my comfort zone. I love interacting with readers, chatting books and characters and just getting to know them as people. I think this has impacted my faith in the same way. It’s made me little bit braver and a little bit bolder. All for the sake of spreading the word about who God is and what He can do.

4: What inspired you to write Be Still My Soul?

As the idea for Be Still My Soul took seed, it unfolded to be a love story between two mismatched people—a marriage between a shy, innocent girl with a strong faith, and a cocky, confident bluegrass musician who hasn’t given God much thought. By throwing them together in a shotgun wedding, I wondered how their story would unfold. Could true love rise from the ashes of broken hopes? This was the question I asked myself as Lonnie and Gideon’s journey began. I love a good happy ending (and a good romance) so this couple provided a few additional challenges for me!

5: Many Authors use personal experiences in their writing. With that said, are there any instances in Be Still My Soul in which you can relate to personally?

Most definitely. Like Lonnie, the biggest one is probably being married to a man who had little regard for God. It was a difficult time in my life but God was with us each step of the way and I am so INCREDIBLY excited to say that just over a year ago, my husband accepted the Lord as his Savior and has never looked back. It’s been an amazing time of growing closer to the Lord together as a family and I know now that God uses the trials in our lives to make us stronger and draw us closer to Him.

6: Readers will LOVE Be Still My Soul—I know I can speak for them! When they read it, and love it, what message do you hope they receive from this captivating novel?

When faced with a difficult situation God is always ready and waiting to be our strength. I hope that readers will take away a peace that God works in all situations. The scripture I’ve based the series around is 1 Peter 5:10, and I chose it because it’s a great reminder that we are never alone on this journey called life. Through the ups and downs, God is there and His mighty plan is at hand.

 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)

7: Tell us a little about yourself!

·         Favorite hobbies: Gardening, cooking and baking, music and singing (but the last time I sang in the car, my kids started howling. Maybe I’ll stick to my other hobbies) ;)

·         Describe your “best day ever:” Probably one of my best days was just recently. It was the day Be Still My Soul released, but it was ALSO our anniversary. My husband and I had a plan to go to the bookstores and see the book on shelves…but it wasn’t in stock yet. I was kind of sad and my hubby, being the guy that he is, decided he would spend the rest of the day making me laugh. We had so much fun!

·         Dessert you find impossible to say no to: Chocolate. Any kind of chocolate. Especially if it’s combined with cheesecake. I’m a goner.

·         Dream vacation: I would absolutely love to go to Scotland. I’ve had the joy of touring England, Ireland and Wales on a 10 day trip and absolutely love that part of the world. Scotland is on the top of my bucket list and I would love to bring my husband.

·         Three most important things in your life, in order of top priority: God, my family and afternoons spent writing while listening to good music and eating chocolate. (I just snuck in 5 didn’t I?) J

8: What advice would you give aspiring authors?

The good news is, you don’t have to have a degree in English or Literature to become a writer. As a stay at home mommy who never went to college, there are some things that have helped me on my journey: being part of a critique group, going to conferences, and reading great fiction have helped me in my writing.

Also, above all else, enjoy the journey. Often times, the path to publication is not an easy one. I’ve been on this road for years and I know many others have as well. I’ve learned more during this process than I ever expected. At times, it was easy to get discouraged and just when I felt maybe nothing was going to ever happen, God carried me through a valuable lesson because His timing is perfect.

9: Can the world of novels expect to be hearing from you again soon? Would you be so kind as give hints as to what we can expect?

There is more to come! Starting this spring with Though My Heart is Torn and then the third book in the Cadence of Grace series will arrive next fall. All three books follow Lonnie and Gideon and their love story. Let’s see….a hint ;) Here is an excerpt from the upcoming book, Though My Heart is Torn. It’s a scene between our hero and heroine:

Clearing his throat, he voiced her name. It fell from his lips like sweet honey. Would he ever have a reason to say her name again? Perhaps he would have to whisper it in the silent places of his heart to keep himself from losing his mind. They continued walking and Gideon waited until he had her attention. He longed for her forgiveness, but that seemed selfish. He focused instead on bringing her peace.

10: Any parting thoughts, comments, etc. you would like to add for your viewers?

I just want to thank your readers for being here and for the opportunity to get to meet them. Each new name and face is a blessing to me! And I really want to add what a joy it has been to get to know you, Hannah. Your fun review of Be Still My Soul stole my attention that day and it’s been so fun to get to know you ever since. Praying for your family and your precious soldier overseas!

God at the Voting Booth

Oh MY-LANTA! Was anyone at Hilldale Baptist Church this morning to hear Bro. Larry lay the smack down on what God thinks about the Presidential election? Whew! I'm sweating right now just thinking back on it! I was all fidgety waiting for some kind of outburst, lol. Seriously, I did not hear one Amen during the sermon, lol...I think we all feared a political riot! 

 Don't get me wrong, IT WAS A GREAT SERMON, AND FULL OF TRUTH, but when you talk politics and religion at the same time...well, let's just say I'm sure some pacemakers in that sanctuary were fluttering!  Bro. Larry was on FI-YA today! Sizzzzzlllle!

Highlights from the Sermon:
*God doesn't pick political sides...He is his own side (That kinda sounds like a Chuck Norris joke)
*God cares about all things, but who is in office is not going to change the fact that He is in control and still has a plan that can't be thwarted
*The outcome of elections gives us a glimpse of what the heart of America really looks like, and it's not a pretty sight right now
*What if Christians voted for Biblical values instead of their political party.

I've tried to live my life by making decisions based on what Jesus would do...and no I never wore a WWJD bracelet, or maybe I did in middle school, but in my defense, they were cool then.  Being a follower of Jesus is more than just saying you believe in him-- it's how you live, act, and talk that shows you are believer--and this applies to me even when I am in the polling booth. When it comes to voting, believers should vote for God and the things He stands for. Don't be silly, God's name isn't on the ballot, but we can vote for the person that represents the things that God has already voted for--note that I am about to steal my notes from Bro. Larry's sermon today.

These are the things that God has already voted for--the things He represents, and so should we as followers of Christ.
1: Protecting the lives of our unborn children. Abortion is a hot button topic, but God is clear on this. All life is sacred, and the killing of innocent unborn children is unacceptable.
2: The sanctity of marriage. God is very specific on how He designed marriage to be--between one man and one woman, and for our society to try to redefine what marriage means only leads us down a path we shouldn't go.
3: Religious liberty. God gives free will...we have the God-given right to accept or reject our creator, and our religious freedom is protected under the 1st Amendment.   However our religious freedom is being threatened...not cool.
4: God has already voted on Israels sovereignty. A nation that allies with Israel is wise...they are God's chosen and He says "I will bless those that bless you and curse those that curse you." I'm not into being cursed.

When we vote on Tues, let's vote for the candidate that supports the things God has already voted for. I know the choice can be difficult, confusing and down right frustrating, but pray about it. Ask God to give you wisdom when you dive into the polling booth on Tuesday (and I'm sure that means you will vote for the same person I am voting for...lol...TOTALLY JOKING! :) )

Show Some Lunch Box Lovin'

Who doesn't enjoy receiving a sweet note from someone you love? 

I will give kudos to my hubby who is fantastic when it comes to surprising me with thoughtful written words hidden in places he knows I will see--like a secret message on the bathroom mirror that only shows up from the shower steam, or a card on the kitchen counter waiting for me when I wake up. Ugh, thinking about how wonderful he is makes me miss him even more. Boo to war and deployments! Anyway...little thinking of you/I love you/You are Great notes can definitely add a pep in your step, and when given to your child, that note can really say even more than you ever thought!

I have made it a goal to put a little note in my son's lunch box each time I pack it for him. Sometimes I draw a funny little cartoon with a message. Sometimes I write a thank you note for something he did for me or around the house that I noticed. Sometimes I make a list of all the wonderful things about him. Sometimes I make up a silly poem about how great he is. Sometimes I make up a "to be continued lunchroom saga napkin story," lol. I just want to make him smile throughout the day. I want him to know he is special and wonderful, and appreciated.

I know it's just a lunchbox note, BUT if I for some reason forget to include that handwritten sentiment in his lunch, he is quick to ask me why I forgot--which tells me that it's SO MUCH MORE than JUST a "lunchbox note."

I would love to hear all of the creative ways you say "I love you" to your kiddos. :)

Things I Thought I Would NEVER Say...or hear!

My Little Angels :)  Yes, She is Screaming.

Motherhood! That says it all! lol :). With my hubby deployed right now I have been a little more tense than usual, and definitely more absentminded--which is saying something. Solo parenting is a tough field to plow, and some days I feel like I would actually rather be plowing a field than in the home where things can be intense/crazy/hectic/nonstop! I need to laugh more; I need to step back from the situation at hand and find the humor in it, and believe me, there is A LOT to laugh about. 

There are things in life you never think you would hear yourself say. There are things you never think that you will hear. Parenthood has a way of introducing you to these things, and these things are SOME SERIOUS KINDS OF FUNNY! I mean, TOTALLY  TV HIT SERIES FUNNY...it's just trying to remember that they are funny while you are in the moment.

Moments when I need to remember that "it's funny."
*When my two year old daughter runs to the breakfast table naked AGAIN, and I say "Remember, we don't come to the table naked."  Five hours later..."Sweetheart...We don't answer the door naked."  In the evening..."You don't climb into the dryer naked...you don't climb into the dryer ever, and just remember to always keep your clothes on."
* After my son's two hour long football practice and I am frazzled from chasing my daughter, on the verge of starving and my son runs up while my hands are full of stuff and starts loudly begging, "Can I please, please, PLEASE, grab the flashlight and hunt for Big Foot tonight?"  My tired response..."Not tonight son...Big Foot can wait." I'm sure everyone thinks we are freaks lol.
* It's bedtime and I am wiped out and my son says "Mom! My butt is thundering!!" What does that even mean?? My response, "Let me know if it begins to lightning."
* It's bedtime and my son says "Mom! My butt is dry and I can't stand it!" What does THAT mean? I tell him to shower better, text my mother-in-law regarding my son's "issue" and she texts back saying "put Vaseline on it...he probably has some potpie stuck in there that he missed."  Potpie? REALLY? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh autocorrect, you're sooooo silly!!! :) Ok, so I laughed at that situation like on the spot!

It's apparent that my son has a lot of strange things to say regarding his cute little tush, lol. I won't even begin to go into all of the crazy embarrassing, but hilarious, anatomy questions he has been coming up with lately!! Btw, Lifeway Christian Bookstore has FABULOUS books on puberty and other related topics.

Summing it up...it's funny what I never thought about saying or hearing, and I pray that I remember to keep in mind how funny it all really is when it seems too much to handle at the time.

Debate Anyone??

Yes, yes, last night was the final Presidential Debate and let me say that it was not as interesting as the second one.If it were to come to a boxing match--which I know we have all imagined--I think Romney may be able to take Obama. Call me sick and twisted, but I was totally looking forward to seeing the candidates go at it, but nada!   I'm sorry to have to announce that SNL is not going to have much ammo to work with in  recreating this debate in skit form. Side note--SNL's version of all things political brings great joy to my life! :) 

I love a good debate better than the next person. Really though, a debate is just a fancy word for "arguing," and arguing can be fun, ONLY if the other person you are arguing with understands that the argument is just all in fun--that's why there are Debate Teams, which I totally should have been a part of!

Debates/Arguments are SOOOO appealing! What is it about my nature that wants to scream "Uh,UH, you're wrong?" When I was a little girl my Momma would say, "You would argue with Jesus himself," and I would reply "No I wouldn't!" with my hands on my hips.  Lol--I was a defiant little blond headed child. Now I'm a defiant fake-brunette-headed adult.

The sky is blue. "Well, actually it's Robin Egg Blue!" The grass is green. "What shade of green because that depends on the kind of grass it is?" Slavery was the cause of the Civil War. "Actually that is not true...it was a BIG cause but not the sole cause." I  feel the need to argue! It feels good to argue! It feels even BETTER to win an argument! What is wrong with me? 

I don't think I am alone...I KNOW I am not alone! People want to be right. Why do you think game shows have been on TV forever?? They jump at the chance to prove they are right! I'm going to argue (lol) that our need to be right stems from selfishness--putting ourselves before another so we can look better, feel better, and THINK we are better. The Bible has a whole lot to say about quarrelsome people and selfishness...it's humbling and if I had a tail I would tuck it. This past year God has been working with me on my need to argue, to be right and I'm learning to just let it go. I'm a work in progress...

Titus 3: 9-11: But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Deployment Bucketlist

Deployment Bucket List: UPDATED :) 

Disclaimer: I had to write a few things on the list that I have already done to make me feel more productive--I know you totally do that too! ;)

1: Organize the Garage  Um...I may need to do that again
2: Organize Laundry Area
3: Organize Top of the Fridge
4: Paint Kid's Rooms (And add shelving...)
5: Paint Our Master Bath  (Need to figure what design) Got a brain cramp trying to figure out what color
6: Clean Carpets (Or just pray for them)
7: Redecorate Master Bedroom
8: Start a Bible Study
9: Stencil the Book Shelf in the Living Room...and the one in our bedroom Not yet...lol
10: Spend Saturday's Playing with the Kids and creating an awesome Pinterest craft/game idea!
11: Take the Kid's Somewhere AWESOME for Spring Break  With the Fam in Ohio!!
12: Camp Out in the Living Room with the Kiddo's at least once a month   Did that like 4 times!!
13: Learn How to Sew It's just sad how bad I am...I should get a sewing machine to help me :) 
14: Figure Out Which Pinterest Crafts I Want to Do and Then Schedule Time to Do It!
15: Get a Pedicure or Massage Once a Month  um...nope...that was a lofty dream, huh?
16: Go See a Movie With No Kids With Me
17: Organize Emergency/Important Papers in the Firebox
18: Clean Out Kid's Closets
19: Make Chalkboard for the Kitchen          It looks so cute!
20: Create and Area for the Kid's Artwork      Did it! 
21: Stencil Wall in Living Room  Almost done...sorta...maybe soon...I think???
22: Create a Workout Routine
23: Finish Family Yearbooks on Snapfish     ummm...no, but there's still time
24: Pay off Student Loans!! Woohoo! (I'm so taking a pic of my smiling face with the last payment in my hand!)  ALMOST...soon!!
25: Volunteer more in the community I did! :) 
26: Have Dad teach me how to build stuff...gotta learn if I am gonna be a Pinterest Pro  Kinda did that
27: Go out of my way to encourage others (a good reason to hit up sendoutcards.com/alane )
28: Finish Reading the 5 Love Languages for Kids and begin to fluently speak my kiddo's love language
29: Pray Psalm 91 over my husband and his men every night  Did it, still doing it...won't stop doing it!
30: Clean car thoroughly!
31: Keep my car nice and tidy (yeah..that's gonna be a hard one...but I'm on my way!)  Sorta doing it...it's kind of a work in progress thing...lol