September 3, 2009 Homemaking Cottage Newsletter

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Shiloah Baker, owner of The Homemaking CottageIn North Carolina the weather has cooled off and I naturally tend to gravitate towards reading and indoor homemaking skills like baking. It is cool enough outdoors here to open the windows and enjoy a gently cool breeze throughout the house.

Where I live there are many women who are settling in their new routines of being a housewife or stay-at-home-mom. I often hear comments from them about how boring daily life is at home compared to the glamor of working at a nine-to-five job. My heart goes out to these women and for them this newsletter is dedicated.

Don't forget: The Homemaking Cottage is now on Facebook! We invite you to Become a Fan, then join us on our group page. We can also be found on Twitter!

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Who Said You Should? (Deluxe Edition Article Preview)

Who Said you should?By Shiloah Baker

Who said lunch has to be served by noon each day? Who dictated that dinner must be on the table at 5pm each night? Where do we get these preconceived notions that our lives must be run a certain way and by a certain clock?



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Homemaking Quote

"Homemaking provides the soil in which feminine virtues can flourish."

-Sydney Smith Reynolds

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The Values of Being Happy and Grateful for What You Have

By Richard Rizza


We are surrounded by lack. The lack of money to buy gas for our cars, the lack of time to make more money and a lack of gratitude for what we have. Fortunate or not we can always be worst off than we are now and somebody always has it worst than we do.

The best way for us to value our present day happiness and gratitude for what we have is to live up to our potential. I don't know any happy people who can't pay their mortgage yet they are happy. If you can't pay your mortgage you can't be happy but you can be grateful if you can afford to rent another house or an apartment.

Happiness is earned and it will never come to you no matter how much money you have.

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Finding Satisfaction in Being a Housewife

Finding Satisfaction in Being a HousewifeBy Shiloah Baker

For centuries the woman's role has been in the home looking to the environment and nurturing the children among various other responsibilities. With the dawn of the women's rights movement women have been blessed to move into the workforce and go outside of the home to care for their families financially if need be. Women today are blessed to have the opportunity to get a higher education and high paying professional jobs.

Women who choose to stay home to care for their home and family sometimes feel that they miss out on the glamour of the working world. Instead of a raise in salary for a job well done, they get smiley toothless grins, hugs, and have to clean baby bottoms.


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Crock-pot Meal: Chicken, Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo

When the cool weather blows in and life gets busy, it's the perfect time to pull out the crock-pot to make a nutritious dinner.

Ingredients:


4 tb. butter
2 tb. oil
1/2 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 green peppers, seeded and chopped
2 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 tsp. thyme
3 bay leaves
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. mace
6 cloves
3 1/2 pounds chicken, cut into 8 inch pieces
1 1/2 pounds polish sausage, cut into 1" squares
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled
1 1/2 pounds okra, cut into 1/4" slices

Heat the butter and oil in a small saucepan. Ad the flour and stir to form a thick paste. Cook over very low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned. Add chicken broth gradually. Stir with a whisk to form a smooth sauce.

Place all ingredients except half of the shrimp and the okra in the crock-pot. Add remaining shrimp during the last hour of cooking. Cook okra in simmering salted water for 15 minutes and add with the shrimp. Skim off the fat before serving.

Serves 8

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We're Accepting Submissions for:

Homemaking Cottage * An article or paragraph on the topic "Lessons learned over a sink full of dishes"...this can be learning discussions with a child or spouse, or inspirational moments while doing dishes by yourself.

* Favorite casseroles (with recipes)

* Mothers of 4 or more who wish to be interviewed for our "Mothers of Large Families" series.


If you would like to participate, please respond by email to Shiloah Baker today!

Thank you for your patronage. We would love for you to share our site and ezine with your friends and family! Feel free to forward this email in it's entirety.

Don't forget to support our site and join our Deluxe Edition.
Sincerely,


Shiloah Baker
Homemaking Cottage

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Enhance Your Home With Creative Ideas from The Homemaking Cottage Deluxe Edition

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Homemaking Cottage

Starting today All new Deluxe Edition Memberships on sale!

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Enhance your homemaking skills and improve your life with ideas from The Homemaking Cottage Deluxe Edition subscription.

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*Your personalized and unique username and password.

*Almost 1001 exclusive articles in each section not found on the main site.Homemaking Cottage

*Longer and more detailed articles with more pictures...

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*20% off every item/ebook in our store.

*Affordable Subscriptions ranging in price from $10 for 3 months, to $20 for 6 months, and $36 for one year.



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When checking out use this Coupon Code: deluxesale . This coupon is transferable. Share this offer with friends and family today!
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Recent Deluxe Edition Updates!



The price of ThingsThe Price of Things
By Raejean Roberts

I love getting new stuff; new clothes, new scrapbook supplies, new things for the house, even groceries. There is a certain thrill of bringing home a bag of new treasures! Once I’m home, I take the treasures out of the bag, admire them again and
put them away.

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Summertime CookbookCreate a Summertime Cookbook

By Lori Nawyn

This summer while you’re creating something yummy for the backyard barbecue, family reunion, or picnic in the park, compile all your favorite summertime recipes and plan your own cookbook. Summer family fun time is great....


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Other Deluxe Articles:


Celery au Gratin by Shiloah Baker
German Cucumber Salad by Shiloah Baker
Creamy Cucumbers by Shiloah Baker
Tangy Fiesta Cauliflower by Shiloah Baker
Pork Chops with Sauerkraut by Shiloah Baker
Cherry Sauce for Pork Roast by Shiloah Baker


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"The Homemaking Cottage has been one of my favorite "simple pleasures" in my very busy life with my five children, a place to renew my mind and spirit for the rewarding but tough job of motherhood and homemaking. The wealth of information found in the Deluxe Edition is astounding. No matter what I am needing or in the mood for, I find. The articles are well-written with valuable, quality information.

Whether I need help organizing, meal planning, celebrating, or finding inspiration and advice when motherhood pushes you to the limits, I have found a trusted resource in the Homemaking Cottage."

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"I was quite excited as this sounded like just my cup of tea! I'm an avid magazine reader and this siteHomemaking Cottage Deluxe Edition was like have all the back issues of a great homemaking magazine at my fingertips. More than a magazine subscription, it was a subscription to not only what is written this year, but to all that has ever been written! It was a pleasurable week pouring through the many articles, but there were so many more I never even got to read.


There is a lot to this website and a subscription is quite a bargain at $36, about what you would pay for a premium magazine. But remember...you get to read ALL the information written for the site. User receive 24 hour a day access to the over 891 original articles/recipes/crafts and 20% off anything in the website store.

I spent most of my time in the Self Reliance section. This is a current interest of mine as my husband has asked me to help him get our family more prepared for emergency situations. The articles I read were not only informative, but practical. Plenty of wisdom to help me get started."

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"The Homemaking Cottage bills itself as "a gathering place where homemakers share ideas for keeping home and family", and you will find more ideas here than you may be able to use in a lifetime, and a lot of support and encouragement as well from fellow homemakers! There are articles from women just like you and me, who come from all kinds of backgrounds, from stay at home moms to working moms and moms who work from home, homeschooling moms too! That makes it really easy to connect with women who are dealing with some of the same struggles you may be facing, and finding practical and easy suggestions and solutions for making your home a haven for your family.

In addition to being resourceful, the layout of the website is lovely and easy to navigate. All of the articles are divided into eleven subject headings, the links to which you can easily find in the right side bar. A few of my favorites, and the ones I frequented were, Family, Fair Lady and Holidays. I think overall, Family was probably my favorite, I got a lot of wonderful ideas for planning some fun evenings together with my family!

You can access many of the articles and resources I've referred to just by visiting, but to access all that this wonderful website has to offer, you'll need to register for access to the deluxe addition! The cost for a one year subscription is just $36.00, that's just ten cents a day to have all of these wonderful resources right at your fingertips! You might think that you could find similar articles and inspiration on your own, and perhaps you could, but just think of the time you'll save by having all of this information already categorized, organized and just a click away! You might be able to save a little money by doing it yourself, but what you won't save is time. However, if money is tight, as I know it is for so many families right now, they offer other subscription packages as well, which will provide you will a wealth of resources and ideas for living well on a limited budget."

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August 6, 2009 Homemaking Cottage Newsletter

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Shiloah Baker, owner of The Homemaking-Cottage.comIt's that time of year when the leisurely pace of summer transitions into a more structured time filled with learning and extra curricular activities. Don't panic, new schedules can be made to help your family ease into the new routine. I used to be an "anti-scheduler" until I realized that I really did have a scheduled life, it was a loose schedule or routine, but it was structured nonetheless.

Transitioning into a new schedule with kids homeschooling or going to school can be stressful. This ezine issue gives you tips on how to schedule your life and as a result feel less hurried and have more free time. We even include some breakfast recipes and ideas that are healthy and inexpensive, including oatmeal--my personal favorite.

Don't forget: The Homemaking Cottage is now on Facebook! We invite you to Become a Fan, then join us on our group page, and don't forget to add me as a friend. We can also be found on Twitter! And we would be so flattered if you invited your friends to join us by forwarding this email!

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Book of Lists (Deluxe Edition Article Preview)

Book of listsTo help organize your life, make yourself a BOOK OF LISTS by compiling a group of separately tabbed lists within a binder. (This can be part of your calendar). This will organize all the separate functions of your life into one place of reference, and again take clutter out of your brain and put it where it belongs: in an easy reference guide.

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Organizing Quote

"Have a time and place for everything, and do everything in its time and place, and you will not only accomplish more, but have far more leisure than those who are always hurrying."
-Tryon Edwards

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Provide Routine and Structure for Your Children with a Daily Home Schedule

By Janet Nusbaum

Child Helping with ChoresDevoting time to establish consistency and structure is often one of the biggest challenges that parents face when trying to teach responsibility to their children. Life skills are best learned by example and repetition, meaning that consistency is of utmost importance in building the skills that your children will need in the future in order to survive successfully in today's society.

While imposing a daily home schedule may seem restrictive, the opposite is actually true. Children need to be able to depend on the adults in their lives and they feel safe and secure when they have a structure and routine to count on. Children do not yet have the maturity level to know how to structure their time on their own. They learn these skills from institutions like school and from the adults in their lives. For the parents, establishing a family schedule provides consistency and routine in a busy household. Consider our society in general, and you will find time schedules regulating most everything we do. Companies have standard hours, schools offer classes with a defined beginning and end, and mass transportation runs on a tight, proven schedule that is dependable to all who use it.

By establishing and posting a daily schedule in your home that includes chores and times that tasks are expected to be performed and completed, you are providing the structure and consistency that your children need in order to grow and mature. Schedules at home help regulate your children's lives so that they have a model to learn from that they can take into their adult lives.

Start with a morning routine that includes daily tasks required to get ready for a new day. Have a set time to be out of bed and a list of preparatory activities, including getting dressed, brushing teeth, and combing hair. Give a reasonable time frame to complete these activities, and require the children to be at the breakfast table by a certain time.

After breakfast, allow time for checking that all school supplies and homework are properly stored in backpacks and any accessories - gloves, jackets, etc - can be donned in time to either get in the car or meet the school bus. Once you have set a morning regime, it is time to work out the evening plans, outlining homework time, mealtime, showers, chores, and any other activities that are involved in daily life, while still maintaining a consistent bedtime. We are a sleep deprived culture. Make efforts not to pass this way of life on to the next generation.

Establishing a visible daily schedule for your children to follow provides consistency and a foundation from which they can build on. It will also help you with organizing your own day because you will now have a structure and schedule to manage your time effectively and efficiently as well. With a daily schedule in place for the adults, prevents you from having to reinvent the wheel every day. All family members know the routine and in that they learn and can trust. Providing these routines and structure for your children while they are young not only provides them with a model of how to manage a home and how to perform routine home tasks, but it also helps them develop critical time management life skills that are essential to later life success.

Copyright (c) 2009 Simplified Spaces


Janet Nusbaum (AKA the Organizing Genie), WAHM of two, is an Organizing Consultant, Speaker & Author of 'Mom, Can I Help Around the House? A Simple Step-by-step System for Teaching your Children Life-long Skills for Pitching in & Picking up'. Grab a FREE chapter of her book & household chore system by visiting http://www.KidsandChores.net. Get even more organizing & family management help by visting her blog: http://www.TheOrganizingGenie.com

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Healthy Breakfast Tips for Kids

By Tracee Bergmann

Child eating healthy BreakfastBreakfast is the biggest and most important meal of the day. You need to make sure that your kids take in a proper breakfast to be able to give them the right amount of energy that they need for the entire day. When your kids sleep during the night, the body uses up the energy that is stored in the cells and a correct breakfast will allow the body to recharge and get a jump start for the rest of the day. Aside from this, studies prove that children who eat a good breakfast perform better in school and grow faster as well. Don't think that giving your kids just anything will do, there are certain things that are needed to ensure that your child's body is fueled properly.


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Oatmeal Recipes: Simple & Quick Breakfast Ideas

By Laura Cockerell

These oatmeal recipes will help to add a little extra flavor to Blueberries in Oatmeal with BlueberriesOatmeal an old favorite. Oatmeal is a healthy and delicious way to start the day and these quick breakfast ideas are simple and easy to prepare.

There are a lot of flavorful oatmeal varieties on the market but there is a lot of sugar added to these and I prefer to make my own additions where I can control the sweetener and use more natural ingredients.

You can use plain oatmeal either instant, rolled, or steel-cut oats for these recipes. Just follow the package directions when preparing the oatmeal. All you need to do is add these additions on top of your cooked oatmeal and swirl them into your hot cereal.

Quick Breakfast Ideas with Oatmeal Toppings:

** Cranberries, walnut pieces and a drizzle of honey

** Raisins, cinnamon and a light sprinkle of brown sugar

** Chopped pecans and diced apples

** A spoonful of plain non-fat Greek yogurt and diced peaches with a dusting of nutmeg

** A spoonful of pumpkin butter, maple syrup and chopped walnuts

** Sliced bananas and a little low-fat plain or raisin granola

** Diced dried apricot with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup

** Strawberry or blueberry all-fruit spread and plain non-fat yogurt

** Drained fruit cocktail (in fruit juice - not syrup)

** Cinnamon or berry applesauce

** Sliced strawberries and a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips

** Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries tossed in brown sugar

** Chopped dates and a sprinkling of toasted coconut

** Any nut butter of your choosing such as: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.

** Ground flaxseed and dried cherries

** Wheat germ and cream or soy cream

** A spoonful of flavored yogurt (look for a natural brand)

** A spoonful of low-fat whipped cream cheese and a spoonful of your favorite all-fruit spread

** Canned, crushed pineapple (drain before adding to cereal) with some chopped walnuts

** Sliced peaches, grated ginger and a little cream

Oatmeal doesn't have to be boring. With just a little bit of creativity you can make it something different and flavorful every time. Use your imagination and your oatmeal breakfast will always be delicious.

Visit http://www.quick-salad-recipes.com for these easy oatmeal recipes and a large selection of free recipes that are streamlined for speed, flexibility and ease of preparation along with menu planners that provide a wide variety of ideas for simple, flavorful and quick meals for every day of the week throughout the year.

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We're Accepting Submissions for:

Homemaking Cottage * An article or paragraph on the topic "Lessons learned over a sink full of dishes"...this can be learning discussions with a child or spouse, or inspirational moments while doing dishes by yourself.

* Favorite casseroles (with recipes)

* Mothers of 4 or more who wish to be interviewed for our "Mothers of Large Families" series.


If you would like to participate, please respond by email to Shiloah Baker today!

Thank you for your patronage. We would love for you to share our site and ezine with your friends and family! Feel free to forward this email in it's entirety.

Don't forget to support our site and join our Deluxe Edition.
Sincerely,


Shiloah Baker
Homemaking Cottage

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