Movies: To Be or Not to Be

Yesterday, I had a discussion with my 16 year old son about action/adventure movies he wants to see, either at the theater or on DVD like "The Hunger Games", "G.I. Joe, Rise of the Cobra", "Transformers" or "Contagion" for example.
So I looked to my favorite Christian review sites:  Common Sense Media and Plugged In to check and see if he might be able to view any of those movies.  I was shocked to see what was in these films in terms of language, sexual situations/innuendo and violence.  
Now, I try to not to be puritanical in deciding what is appropriate for him, but where does a Christian parent draw the line?  Five swear words?  Ten?  None?  And which words should I let pass?
How many sexual references do I allow?  How many violent acts?
Is there nothing for him (and for that matter, other Christian/homeschool families) between "Cinderella" and "Battle LA"?  Should we just give up and wait for a decent film to come out?
He (and our family) really enjoyed "National Treasure", "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and the "Narnia" films.  But that's all we've been able to watch that is appealing to him.
Are we the only family struggling with this?  Is it worse because we homeschool and so the harshness of life seems more harsh?  Trying to stick with Christian values, yet trying to find something entertaining to watch, is definitely a huge challenge.
I would love to hear from you with suggestions for movies for Christian families.  If I hear from enough readers, I will put together a movie list in a future post.
God bless you and thanks for reading my blog.

Conquering Clutter Challenge 3

OK, it is now time for the greatest challenge yet--my sewing/craft area.  It is embarrassing to show this to the whole world, but it must be done. This area is necessary to my earning extra money, and currently it is unusable.  Right now it is covered with glassware for my new shop I'm trying to open on Etsy, called Cottage Garden Vintage.  So my biggest challenge is finding a safe spot to store all this glass while it is listed in the shop.  
There is also a serger, still in its box on the left and stacks of books to sell on Ebay.  

In the foreground is another box with Ebay items.  There are curtains to be hung up, statues to be glued, and a TV at the end of the table.  I feel tired already!
So please pray that I have the energy and focus to get this area in tip-top working order so that I can actually use my sewing area as it was intended.
So my projected date of completion will be Sunday, February 12, God willing.  On Monday, I hope to share my "after" photos.  
Please join me in this challenge and share your thoughts and links to what you have accomplished in conquering clutter.  

Homemade Pizza for Superbowl Party

I have decided to break into the family vault and share our famous homemade pizza recipe, just in time for your Superbowl party.  It's easy and cheap to make and my family gobbles it all up every time I make it (which is every couple of weeks).  

In a large bowl, place each of the following and mix well:

7 cups all-purpose flour
2 pkgs. quick rise yeast (or 4 1/2 tsp.)
1 Tablespoon salt
In small bowl, combine:
3 cups very warm tap water
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons oil (olive oil or any vegetable oil)
Slowly add warm water mixture to flour mixture until crumbly dough forms.  Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead 4-5 minutes until dough is satiny smooth and elastic.
Let rise until double in size (about 20-30 minutes) in a warm spot (I use my oven with the light on).  Remove dough from oven and preheat to 450 degrees.
Punch dough down and separate into 3-4 pieces, depending how thick you like your crust and place in oiled pan sprinkled with corn meal.  Spread carefully with hands, coaxing the dough to the edges of the pan, being careful not to make a hole.  If hard to spread, move to next pizza and let the other rest a moment and then try again.
Spread sauce (recipe follows) on dough and add toppings, cheese first (I use pepperoni, crumbled pre-cooked breakfast sausage and shredded mozzarella cheese).
Bake at 450 for 12-14 minutes.


Pizza Sauce


3 cups tomato sauce
3 Tablespoons tomato paste (I use the one in the tube)
3/4 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
Couple of good splashes of olive oil
Mix well with whisk


I guarantee this will be a crowd pleaser.  I am asked to bring pizza to family gatherings as it is very popular.


Enjoy and go Patriots!