My Favorite Cookie Recipes!

October 1, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

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All my favorite cookie recipes in one place! Enjoy! And let me know which recipes you try!

My Favorite Cookie Recipes

The cinnamon chips can be a little hard to find. Hershey’s makes them, but I haven’t been able to find them in my local stores for a couple of years. They are so good! It’s worth looking for them, or buying online.

Ginger Snaps

Can also be made gluten free!

Sugar Cookies

My family’s favorite. We make them every year for Christmas. And other times, too. lol

Make Your Own Colored Sugar for Decorating Cookies

Chocolate Cookies

So good! The sprinkle of sugar on top is optional. But I recommend using it. lol

Chocolate No Bake Cookies

Boy, is this picture horrible! lol Guess I need to make these just so I can take pictures! lol

Just ignore the picture. These no bake cookies are always a favorite no matter who I make them for, or where I take them.

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

Similar to the no bakes above, but no chocolate. Just all peanut butter.

Gluten Free Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Can be made with wheat flour, too!

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In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

September 21, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Well, looks like I haven’t shared a menu in a few weeks. Disappointing, especially since I remember to take some pictures. lol So here are some of the pictures I took over the last couple of weeks. In no particular order.

I made a big pan of brownies. Again. The family loves brownies. Now that most of my kids have flown the coop now, this is a lot of brownies. lol I put them in a freezer container between layers of waxed paper. Then we can take out brownies whenever we want, or need, them. Yes, sometimes brownies are a need. lol This time, I put some of the caramel sauce on half the pan before baking. So good! If you look close, you can see the squiggly lines in the brownies. Next time, lol, I’ll do larger sections of caramel.

These Cheesy Ranch Pork Chops are a family favorite. They are soooo good!

We’ve cooked out a few times since the weather is still nice here in Kentucky. Cheeseburgers are always a winner. I even made caramelized onions to go on them! Served with my stuffed (deviled) eggs, grilled zucchini, and homemade potato salad. Yum!

And because they turned out so pretty, another picture of my stuffed (deviled) eggs. With bacon and chives from my herb garden on top. Eggs don’t last long around here!

When I make baked potatoes, I always make extra. They are great for making easy side dishes later in the week. Like these fried potatoes.

I bought several pounds of hamburger on sale, put most of it in the freezer. I used some for spaghetti one night, kept some for tacos the next night. I put 3 bags in the freezer, one with spaghetti sauce.

With the rest of the hamburger I got on sale, I made meatloaf. Once pan for dinner that night, and 2 more for the freezer.

We even stopped for ice cream one night while we were already in town!

This is not the most flattering picture, but it tasted much better than it looks. lol I had some extra oranges that weren’t getting eaten, so I sliced them and put them on top of the salmon before cooking. They gave the salmon a lovely orange flavor. I’ll be doing that again. As well as remembering to turn the oven temperature down so I don’t get all that white fat on the salmon!

Ok, this is a kitchen fail. Yes, I have them right along with everyone else. lol I didn’t hear the beep on the pressure cooker and left the eggs sitting there too long. They tasted fine, just looked horrible. My husband used these for snacks, and he doesn’t care if they look pretty. lol So they didn’t go to waste.

And I am now setting another timer to be sure I hear the pressure cooker timer. lol

In The Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Cheeseburgers on the grill, stuffed eggs, fries, peas

Monday – chicken or turkey – Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Chicken, rice, green beans

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans

Wednesday – Taco Night- Taco salad with all the fixings, homemade taco sauce, baked potato for my mother

Thursday – pork or chicken – Smoked sausage, peppers, onions on the grill, Mac & Cheese,

Friday – Quick & Easy – leftovers

Saturday – Quick & Easy or Husbands Choice – I can’t decide! Guess I’ll let him pick that day lol

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

Generation to Generation Book Review

September 18, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

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I recently received a copy of Generation to Generation to read. Generation to Generation is the new book from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, written by the founders daughter, Yael Eckstein.

The sub title Passing on a Legacy of Faith to Our Children aptly describes this book.

Chapters include Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot, Tisha B’Av, the High Holy Day, Sukkot, Purim, and tzedakah. Within those chapters, discussions include teaching our children, priorities, gratitude, hope, forgiveness, faith, courage, generosity, and more.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was founded in 1983 by Orthodox Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, whose vision for building bridges of understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews has been translated into the largest Christian-supported humanitarian agency helping Jews in Israel and around the world. You can learn more about the organization and Rabbi Eckstein here.

For more than 2,000 years, the Jewish people have preserved and maintained their faith from generation to generation, despite being exiled from their land and suffering persecutions, pogroms, and even the Holocaust, where six million Jewish women, men, and children were killed at the hands of the Nazis. In her book, Generation to Generation, Fellowship President and CEO Yael Eckstein unlocks the keys to how the Jewish people have successfully passed on the legacy of faith through the family, and offers insights into how Christians can incorporate these principles within their own families to pass on a strong and living faith.

The author, Yael Eckstein, is President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, the largest provider of humanitarian aid in Israel. You can find more info about her on the book site, www.generationbook.org

Generation to Generation Book Review

You can tell how good a book is by how many pages you mark! This was not just for a picture. These are actual markers I placed while I read this book.

I love that at the end of every chapter there are 3 pages to help you see where what was discussed in that chapter is mentioned in the New Testament, Family Talk – family discussion questions, and Bible verses to memorize.

In this example you find out how Tisha B’av is mentioned. These pages are very informative. You just may see a connection that you haven’t seen before.

Depending on the ages of your children, you may be able to read these Family Talk questions just as they are. For younger kids, you can easily simplify the questions to their level.

At the bottom of this page is a section just for parents. These sections will encourage and inspire you to learn and live these principals with your children every day.

The page of Bible memory verses includes selections from both the Old and the New Testaments. The verses vary in length. You choose which one, or more, will work for you family.

I highly recommend this book if you have children. I wish I had had this book when mine were younger! Yes, my kids are now grown. I still loved this book!

I highly recommend this book if you have ever delved into your Jewish roots, or would like to. You don’t have to have young kids to read this book! She does talk about kids a lot, but the book isn’t written for kids, it’s written for adults.

I highly recommend this book if you desire to learn how to share your faith with your children on a daily basis. The author shares many, many examples of how to live out the principles in this book. Ways to weave your faith into everything you do every day with your family.

Maybe you don’t have kids. Or like me, your kids are grown. Give this book to those in your life that do have kids. Grandparents, share this book with your kids, so they can share it with theirs.

Generation to Generation is available on Amazon.

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” My opinions are my own.

*This post contains an affiliate link, if you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.

Before the Wrath DVD Review & Giveaway

September 3, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

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Have you heard of the term eschatology? Eschatology is a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of humankind. In other words, the end times.

In this inspirational documentary, Before the Wrath, you’ll hear from researchers, anthropologists, theologists and eschatologists about newly discovered evidence from the time of Christ. This new evidence reveals how and why the rapture must occur. You will also see new biblical insight that gives us hope and helps us to prepare for what’s coming.

Before the Wrath starts with Jesus, where he lived, the people, the culture. Not only was Jesus a Jew, he was a Galilean. So were all his disciples. The Galileans had developed their own customs, different from the rest of the area where they lived. Jesus spoke to his disciples and his followers, referencing these customs, so they all knew exactly what he was talking about.

We, as modern day Christians, do not know about these customs. So we often miss these references.

The discussion of the Last Supper and communion is fascinating. It covers some cultural comparisons between a Galilean wedding and the last supper that I have never heard before. But that makes so much sense now!

The way the betrothed couple behaves after the betrothal compared to Jesus, what he says at the Last Supper, and what he says about returning are extremely similar when compared culturally.

No one knew the day and the hour of a Galilean wedding. Not even the bride and the groom. Only the father. It was a surprise wedding! Wow. See the comparison?

We’re not supposed to deal with the actual date. We are supposed to deal with the preparation.

The symbolism of the bridegroom going to his bride is breath taking when you see how the wedding ceremony compares to Jesus’s return.

Satan hates marriage because of what it represents. A microcosm of what awaits in heaven. A picture of what will be fulfilled when it comes (the rapture).

In discussing marriage, some of the statistics given were alarming to me. You can tell Satan hates marriage, and will do anything to stop or end it.

I am fascinated with this film! In case you couldn’t tell by the number of times I said fascinated. lol I have just barely touched on the topics covered. It’s going to take more than one watching, for sure! You are going to want to get the DVD so you can watch it multiple times. I know I do!

Before the Wrath was released on March 3, 2020 by Ingenuity Films.

Before the Wrath narrators and experts include:

Narrated by Kevin Sorbo
(God’s Not Dead, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys)

Jack Hibbs
Theologist and Host of ‘Real Life’ on SiriusXM

Amir Tsarfati
Founder and President of Behold Israel

Jan Markell
Founder of Olive Tree Ministries

JD Farag
Theologist and Eschatologist

Scott McConnell
Executive Director of LifeWay Research

Jay McCarl
Ancient Middle Eastern Anthropologist

Lizette Dillinger
Qualitative Director at LifeWay Research.

Before the Wrath is award winning!

#1-selling documentary DVD on Amazon for three straight months.
#4-selling film in America during a time in April behind JUMANJI, 1917 and FROZEN 2.
#1-selling film on Christian Cinema, even after three months.
Nominated for multiple film awards including best documentary and cinematography.

For more information, visit the Before the Wrath website.

You can also follow Before the Wrath on Facebook and Instagram.

Download a free discussion guide to help with a great understanding of Bible prophecy and the rapture.

Use the free Bible reading plan, a 5 day study of key passages that tie in with Before the Wrath.

Before the Wrath is fascinating, breath taking, and faith building!

Before the Wrath DVD Giveaway

Enter below to win a Before the Wrath DVD! Giveaway open worldwide.

Winner in US will receive Blu-Ray & DVD combo. Winner outside the US will receive the DVD only.

Simply fill out the form below to enter. Be sure to read the terms and conditions on the form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

August 31, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I remembered to take pictures last week! lol

This Chicken Pasta Salad has been a family favorite for years. It’s that good!

I didn’t feel like cooking one night, so I was rummaging for something easy. lol I found a package of pre made hamburgers that I had got on clearance. Perfect! We had a very simple meal for burgers and zucchini on the grill. The family didn’t seem to care that I picked easy that night. lol

Sausage Pasta Skillet Dinner is another family favorite. It’s easy, too. I love it when family favorites are easy on me. lol

So…. don’t hate me for making easy meals last week. lol Here’s another one. I got the starter on sale at the grocery store for 99 cents. I added chicken, some rice, corn, and beans to the mexican style sauce.

Another one pot wonder that my family loved. I served it with cheese and sour cream. Even my picky 20 year old ate it, and had seconds. And no, I don’t cater to him. He usually has leftovers or makes his own food (that he buys) if he doesn’t like what I made.

While grocery shopping this past Saturday, my husband and I saw this weird looking thing in the produce department. Turns out it’s a Jackfruit. I’d heart of it before, but never seen one in person. This one was huge. That’s my husbands large hand in the picture. this fruit was at least 15-18 inches long. I didn’t pull out my measuring tape. lol

We didn’t buy it. After reading the tag, and all the steps involved in getting it ready to eat, it sounded like too much work. lol

Have you ever tried a Jackfruit? Is it worth all the prep required?

Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Steak on the grill, homemade cole slaw, yams – Husband picked the steaks lol

Monday – chicken or turkey – Salmon, baked potatoes, squash

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans

Wednesday – Taco Night- Taco salad with all the fixings, homemade taco sauce, baked potato for my mother

Thursday – pork or chicken – Cheesey ranch pork chops, rice, beets

Friday – Quick & Easy – leftovers

Saturday – Quick & Easy or Husbands Choice – Going to a housewarming party, peoples choice if they want to eat before we go

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

My #1 Piece of Advice to Homeschool Moms

August 25, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

*This My #1 Piece of Advice to Homeschool Moms post contains affiliate links

I have 6 kids, and began homeschooling in September 1991 when we started kindergarten with my oldest.

Now, all six have graduated from our homeschool! Our youngest graduated in February of 2019. I did the math for you. We homeschooled for 27 years.

So I have a lot of experience homeschooling. And now, I’m going to share my #1 piece of advice to homeschool moms.

My #1 Piece of Advice to Homeschool Moms

Are you ready for it? Here it is!

Relax!

Yes, that one word is my #1 piece of advice to homeschool moms. Really. Here are just a few examples of what I mean when I say relax.

Relax. Make learning fun for your young elementary ages kids. It’s ok if your kid doesn’t learn how to read until they are 10. Or doesn’t memorize the times table until they are 12. The list could go on and on. It really is ok to relax and let your student learn at their own pace.

Relax. It’s ok if your middle school and high school students don’t play every sport or join every homeschool club or co-op you can find. It’s ok to let them pick only one sport or one club. It’s even ok if your student doesn’t want to play sports or join any club at all!

Relax. There will be gaps. I have heard so many times over our homeschooling years about gaps in homeschool students learning. Guess what? No matter where you go to school, no matter how hard the homeschool teacher and classroom setting teacher try, there will be gaps in a student’s learning! It is not humanly possible to learn everything there is to learn in 12 years of schooling.

You know what? College graduates will have gaps in their learning, too! It is also not humanly possible to learn everything there is to learn in the world in four years of college. If your students don’t like and study British Literature, they will still be ok. If your students don’t learn Greek Mythology, they will still be ok. Relax. Let your high school students follow their interests. Let them study what they are passionate about. No, I’m not saying they can skip the core subjects they need to graduate. Those are mandatory. But let them have a say in what they are studying. And definitely let them choose their own electives. Learning can be, and should be, still fun in high school.

There you have it.

My #1 piece of advice to homeschool moms. Relax.

Check out my other homeschool posts!

And my Amazon homeschool store!

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In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

August 17, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

*This post contains an affiliate link

When I went to download my pictures, I found that I only took one food related picture last week. Guess I need to hang sticky notes in the kitchen to remind me. lol

I made a large batch of taco meat and sloppy joes last Wednesday. We had some of each for supper, and put the rest in the freezer.

2 meals size bags of each.

They are both on the menu again this week. lol

Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Cheeseburgers with all the fixings, carrots

Monday – chicken or turkey – Chicken tenders, fried potatoes, green beans

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Chicken & Spinach Stroganoff in the slow cooker, broccoli

Wednesday – Taco Night- Sloppy joes, and taco salad with all the fixings, homemade taco sauce, for my husband who doesn’t like sloppy joes

Thursday – pork or chicken – Kielbasa with peppers & onions, homemade mac & cheese, peas

Friday – Quick & Easy –This day is shaping up to be a busy one, so I’m planning on leftovers, as I think there will be plenty

Saturday – Quick & Easy or Husbands Choice – Going to our daughters we’ll buy dinner out

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

*This post contains an affiliate link. If you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.

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