tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299309803058108122024-03-26T21:29:51.189-05:00My Life 0utside The BoxBlog about things I like, daily life, things I review, and other stuff thrown in the mix :-)Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.comBlogger366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-85246674539731482522024-03-23T16:18:00.005-05:002024-03-23T16:18:49.290-05:00Christian HomemakingI have recently come across a lovely woman of God who is on YouTube. She shares her life as a wife, mother, and homemaker. At first, I didn't understand why she chose her profile name so I had to watch several videos to see why she calls herself the Unimportant Homemaker. I love finding women who don't shy away from embracing this lifestyle because we need more encouragement as we live this life Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-52506043533328085772023-08-29T10:00:00.067-05:002023-08-29T10:00:00.162-05:00HS Encouragement- Hope in GodToday I am wrapping up this series on homeschooling. I pray you have been encouraged and eased in your heart and mind. I leave you with this Psalms as a reminder to find hope in God as you continue educating, training, and disciplining your children. May God be glorified!Psalms 42:1-2 1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-85818337753025334862023-08-25T09:30:00.027-05:002023-08-27T23:32:57.649-05:00HS Encouragement- My grace is sufficient for theeAs this week comes to a close I pray today that you let God's word be your comfort and guide on this journey. Let's meditate on what God says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. © My Life Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-83843307737267883252023-08-23T09:30:00.001-05:002023-08-27T23:33:15.767-05:00HS Encouragement- Learn not the way of...The best thing ever about home-educating our son is that we were free to teach him from a Biblical Worldview. No matter what we were learning, we could always discuss God's perspective about many things. Jeremiah 10:1-21 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:2 Thus saith the LORD,Learn not the way of the heathen,and be not dismayed at the signs of Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-15959791023802243732023-08-21T10:00:00.002-05:002023-08-27T23:33:38.154-05:00Homeschool Encouragement- Fear not; I will help youNo matter how long we homeschooled our son we always needed encouragement during the journey. I know firsthand what it's like to worry, be uncertain, question, and at times doubt your decision to stay on the path once you've begun educating your child(ren). Thoughts like these come about for different reasons at different times from person to person. That's why I want to help assure youTajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-36198504581843192662023-08-14T09:30:00.003-05:002023-08-14T09:30:00.147-05:00Homeschooling Support and ResourcesIf you are new to homeschooling and have questions, there are many places to go for help and support. Here are some ideas and sites to visit to help get you started:1. Homeschool State requirements2. Homeschool Helper Online3. Look for local support from homeschool groups (a family or families in church or around your community), co-ops, and library groups.4. You can also do a Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-8439566739045532182023-08-07T09:30:00.085-05:002023-08-07T09:30:00.151-05:00Homeschooling Styles or MethodsHomeschooling Styles, Methods, or PhilosophiesIt has been 5 years since I finished homeschooling our son. With each passing year, it started getting more easier once we persevered through the bumps and hurdles. I’m glad we hung in there and stuck with it til the end. There were so many benefits and I loved the front room view of seeing how our son progressed through each stage of his Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-61861482890911208452023-08-01T10:00:00.002-05:002023-08-20T23:50:10.886-05:00How I stayed the courseBefore I finished my last year of homeschooling my son I compiled a list of scriptures I often turned to when I needed encouragement. Throughout the 11 years we homeschooled I would see people share scriptures that confirmed their convictions for educating their kids as well as helped them stay the course. That's when I started building a list to keep for myself. I believed it was a callingTajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-12327262969045208332023-07-26T21:07:00.000-05:002023-07-26T21:07:13.962-05:00It's been a long while...Well hello there readers! 👋 My, my, my has been a while since I posted here. What can I say but...Life happens. There's busyness, ups and downs, family issues, new beginnings, and anything else you can think of thrown in the mix. On top of that, you're sometimes faced with a lack of motivation to keep up with writing blog posts. Yep, that's pretty much what's been going on. Don't get me Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-3384585423537891672022-12-02T16:06:00.000-06:002022-12-02T16:06:32.165-06:00Pork and Sweet Potato StewPork and Sweet Potato Stew Ingredients:2-3 cups leftover pulled pork (from a pork butt roast. You can also use leftover cubed pork from a loin roast too)2 Tbsp. EVOO1 large onion, diced2 garlic cloves, minced8 oz. sliced mushrooms (optional- I left it out this time)2 cans (14.5 oz. each) of Italian stewed tomatoes4 cups sweet potatoes (cut into 1-inch cubes)2 cups chicken broth16 oz. bag of Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-82332068560669826082022-11-28T22:05:00.003-06:002022-11-29T14:59:02.754-06:00And whatsoever ye do...Hello dear readers. I'm back to complete my final week of thankfulness. I was determined to stay with it and I'm happy I didn't give up. Here in the U.S. we just finished up the Thanksgiving season. The Christmas season has started and I want to stay in a thankful frame of mind. I will come back for the final days of this month to update this list. The photo in the frame came from an online Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-70162268220259720742022-11-21T21:44:00.008-06:002022-11-28T22:08:07.633-06:00Enter into His gates with...Hello everyone. I'm back to start a new week of thankfulness. As we all know life happens and things don't always go as planned. On top of that, it is a busy time of the year. Some days it's hard to remember to write what I'm thankful but I'm determined to stay with it. I will come back throughout the week to update this list. The photo in the frame came from an online printable.Psalm 100:Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-34926520486174632082022-11-14T20:50:00.011-06:002022-11-20T01:11:23.577-06:00Rejoice always...Hello everyone. I'm back to start a new week of thankfulness. Just like my pic says "there is always something to be thankful for". I will come back throughout the week to update this list.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(NKJV)16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.13. Today I'm thankful I've Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-50062894097856069012022-11-07T16:20:00.004-06:002022-11-14T20:19:43.754-06:00Let us come before His presence...Last week I started a post listing what I'm grateful for. I'm back again to start a new week of thankfulness. Just like my pic says "there is always something to be thankful for". I missed posting yesterday's reflection so I will write it as well as today's thought.This pic is a free printable I found online.Psalm 95:2 (KJV)Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyfulTajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-51837508857102600202022-11-02T21:37:00.002-05:002022-11-05T22:13:32.823-05:00Oh give thanks...The Thanksgiving season is upon us here in the U.S. So I want to begin writing a list of things I'm thankful for. I will come back often to keep updating this list throughout the month up until the last day. It is a great time for us to stop and reflect on all the ways the Lord has blessed us. No matter what is going on in our lives, it's like my pic says "there is always something to be Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-43293279613908881882022-10-27T13:08:00.021-05:002022-10-27T14:17:11.675-05:00Easy Crockpot Pulled PorkHello dear readers. It's been a while but you know how life can get really hectic busy. I hate that I haven't gotten the new house together like I planned. I have been helping my hubby here and there with work since Spring. He has worked in I.T. for many years and has a very demanding job where he currently works. Sometimes he asks me to travel with him to help out when he's on the road. I don't Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-6842832525665620692022-09-06T08:30:00.049-05:002022-09-06T16:37:24.180-05:00Menu Planning My Way {Dinner}Hi everyone. I'm back to share the last of my menu plans. I had intended to write this last week but I was dealing with bad allergies. I didn't have much energy to do everything on my To Do list :/ It's a good thing I learned about keeping a running Brain Dump page in my planner so I can remember what I wanted to do. I just move plans over to the next day, week, or month and it's all good.Here isTajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-2105690266482827292022-08-16T08:30:00.010-05:002022-08-16T08:30:00.153-05:00My Way of Menu Planning SnacksSnacks are not the norm around our house these days since I changed to Intermittent Fasting last year. However, there are days someone wants a little something to grab just in case. I also like to have my “snack” as a dessert option instead whenever I eat my meal for the day.This time I divided the list into different categories. This way I can quickly come up with a 4-week rotation. This Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-81251090300100357572022-08-09T08:30:00.026-05:002022-08-09T08:30:00.170-05:00Lunch Menu Planning My Way I’m back again to share more of my meal plans. If you missed my updated breakfast menu ideas last week, please head over there and check them out. I have updated my list of meals that I like to plan for our weekly lunch. If we happen to have leftovers from dinner the night before, I'm sure to add them to the choice of lunch meals for the week as well. I love how this saves money on not having to Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-16477676174383400082022-08-02T08:30:00.007-05:002022-08-03T21:34:27.564-05:00Updated Menu Planning My Way {Breakfast}Back in 2016, I shared my list of go to meals for my monthly menu plans. It’s hard to believe it has been over 10 years since I ventured off into the world of freezer cooking, batch cooking, and menu planning. I have learned so much through the years as I’ve tried various tips and tricks. It has been six years since I shared my post and I have gotten away from doing these simple plans. Lots of Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-91094161054411898092022-06-09T20:20:00.003-05:002022-06-09T20:22:31.432-05:00Checking in once again…Hi everyone. I know it's been a while since my last post. Life has been busy around here. I kept intending to write a post but struggled to find time to sit and begin. My son and I have been helping my hubby out at work with some things; so that slowed me down too. I'm glad I was there to help him because he was very grateful to get a lot done in half the time it would have taken him if he had Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-51357024746606385572022-04-15T11:00:00.057-05:002022-04-15T11:00:00.151-05:00What I do with my Pre-cooked BaconHappy Good Friday! Easter Sunday is almost here! We prefer to call it Resurrection Day in our house. So I mentioned before that I like to precook bacon to have on hand for later use. You've seen something like it at the grocery store. To make mine more like the store versions I slightly undercook it. To me, undercooked is when the bacon is still soft (not crispy) but looks cooked. I like using Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-15955471813956971232022-04-12T09:30:00.007-05:002022-09-02T13:47:35.015-05:00Sloppy Joes (different methods)Sloppy Joes (serves 6 or more)1 lb. ground beef1 lb. ground pork or ground turkey (or ground chicken will work well too)1 medium onion, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced1 small bell pepper, seeded and chopped1 cup ketchup (I usually make my own)2 Tbsp. Tomato Paste3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce3 Tbsp. brown sugar (I use a Keto-friendly substitute)1-2 Tbsp. Dijon (or prepared yellow) mustard2 Tbsp. Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-76465431142823650892022-04-06T15:45:00.000-05:002022-04-06T15:45:07.529-05:00Busy with life and homemaking…Hello! It's been a while so I thought I'd pop in here for a moment. Is Spring your favorite time of the year? I’m just glad to get more days here and there of warmer weather. I’m so over being COLD. Now we have had several rainy days in a row so there have still been cooler temps. So, what have I been up to lately? Still busy each week with getting the house in order. It’s honestly driving me Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829930980305810812.post-11972396410046772412022-02-16T15:30:00.014-06:002022-03-24T20:39:17.414-05:00Checking in…Hi everyone. Last time I shared that would not be blogging too much for a while. For those who didn’t know I’ve been M.I.A. because we recently moved. We bought a new home during the Christmas holidays. That left us pretty busy moving in during Christmas weekend all the way to New Years Day. We purchased a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. The neighbors and neighborhood are nice. I spend my days Tajuanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131358308597034674noreply@blogger.com2