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Pumpkin Challah

12/31/2012

Nothing completes Shabbat dinner like a soft, warm out of the oven Challah.

On October 12th 2012, I made my very first Pumpkin Challah- We loved it so much that I kept it in the
corner of my mind to do a blog post about this recipe.

If you’re not a pumpkin fan- never fear! The pumpkin in this recipe is not overpowering.

The best part about this particular recipe is that the recipe below it is called “Pumpkin Challah Cinnamon Sticky Rolls” and it uses a half batch of Pumpkin Challah dough.

When I made this recipe I divided the dough in half in order to follow the Sticky Roll recipe. The entire recipe made a nice large
Challah and a pan of Sticky Rolls. Sticky Rolls make a wonderful Shabbat Night dessert.

If you want to try out this recipe (and many others, just as tasty!) it is found in the “For Zion’s Sake Cookbook”
on page 91 (in the section titled “Bread and Breakfast” and the subsection "Yeast Breads”).

As you can see from the picture, I am a challah braiding amateur! Plus, I sprinkled the top with cinnamon resulting in a dirty, dusty looking challah loaf! Oops! You live and you learn.

Thanks for reading!! :)

                                                                                             Bethany

                                                 (Sorry, no picture of the Sticky Rolls, they were gone too fast ;)
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Praising Yahweh

12/26/2012

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I just wanted to share with you all some verses in the Bible about Praise and Worship and share some of my favorite Praise and Worship songs.

l give thanks to Yahweh because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of Yahweh Most High. Psalm 7:17

Great is Yahweh and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3

Let everything that has
breath praise Yahweh. Praise Yahweh. Psalm 150:6

Exalt Yahweh our God and worship at his holy mountain,
for Yahweh our God is holy. Psalm 99:9

We want to give all our Praise and Worship to God alone. We should be giving glory to God with everything we say, watch, read and do. We should be bringing glory to God by obeying what he says to do in his word.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is:
fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every
person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is
hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Here are some of my favorite Praise and Worship songs

          I hope this encourages you to give Glory to God in whatever you do.

                                           Have a great week!

                                                            Emily

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Hairstyles Part 2

12/20/2012

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Bethany and I found these videos by going to youtube and searching "hairstyles for long hair".
You can go to the library and get books about different hairstyles. When you get together with some friends you can share hairstyles back and forth. Or if you have sisters like I do, you can expirement on each others hair.
I find it hard to do the side french braid on my own.

The next hair video doesn't have to be for a holiday at all just for everyday.
My hair is really thick so the bun is huge.

The sock bun in this one is really cool, but it looks funny on me because of my hair.

I hope you enjoy the hairstyles!

Blessings,
Lydia
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Volunteering in the Community

12/18/2012

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As Stay at home daughters, many of us are able to spend time and
energy helping and serving our community now, that we would not have if we
managed our own household.

Bethany and I have been volunteering at a local food pantry and thrift store every week.
This has given us the opportunity to put together carts of food for needy families, sort through clothing donations, help in the
furniture barn, and talk with other volunteers.

The food pantry varies dramatically from week to week as all the
food is donated. Right now, they have more than 500 lbs. of prunes, but very
little of protein sources such as peanut butter, beans, and meat. They are
always in need of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Sorting through clothing is sometimes a tough job, they have a large box to put ripped, torn, and stained clothing in, these clothes are shipped to Africa.

The furniture barn is fun, we have to go through a maze of
mattresses, couches and desks, or whatever else the customer may be looking
for. Though the furniture barn is organized several times a year, at the moment
it is in disarray.

There are many different volunteers, most are Christian, and some
are there for community service.
This has also given us ways to share our faith, both with other volunteers, and the people who come to the food pantry and thrift shop.

It has been very rewarding, and I look forward to finding more ways to serve our community.
What are some ways you like to serve your family and community?

Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to
indulge the flesh; rather, serve one
another humbly in love.

Naomi

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Set-Apart Reading (Part 1)

12/13/2012

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"Twilight", "Harry Potter", "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe".

What do these books have in common? More than you may think. They all portray evil things as good and upright.
I haven't read the first two books but only summaries and reviews.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light,
and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”

Twilight is a book that follows the passionate romance between an average girl (Bella)
and her “good vampire” boyfriend (Edward). Edward drinks animal blood rather than human blood so that makes him “good”.

"You are not to eat anything containing blood, engage in occult practices, or practice fortune telling.”

Even if so many teenage girls (and even their moms) didn’t have such an unhealthy obsessive love for Twilight or its main character Mr. Edward Cullen, Twilight would still be an un-healthy literature to have in our diets. The fact that Edward is a
“good vampire” doesn’t make this a good book. This brings back memories of “The Wizard of Oz” with its “good witches” and bad witches- there is no such thing as a good witch! And there is no such thing as a good vampire.

Some questions to consider:
What does the bible say about the drinking of blood? What does the bible say about lust? What does the bible say that our thoughts should dwell on vs. what do books such as Twilight cause our thoughts to dwell on?

Harry Potter- a novel of the life of an orphan boy named Harry who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I hate to be crass but wizardry is ranked right up there with some other totally disgusting sins. Why will some read books about such perverted acts as wizardry (in the name of entertainment) while other perversions are off-limits?

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.”

A verse to consider:
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am YHWH your God.”

Questions to consider:
What does the bible say about witchcraft/wizardry? What does the bible say our thoughts should dwell on vs.what do books like Harry Potter cause our thoughts to dwell on? Does this book present what the bible calls evil as something good and upright?

The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe- a mysterious wardrobe can transport children to the magical world of Narnia. The antagonist is a beautiful witch and the protagonist is the Lion, Aslan, who has magical powers of his own.

This time we have bad magic and “good” magic. There is no such thing as “good” magic- even if the book was written by a Christian. Even if it’s written by C.S Lewis, Christian hero. While I believe that Mr. Lewis has some excellent arguments for the existence of God and some excellent arguments for the validity of YHWH God as THE God, I do not believe his Narnia books are the best reading material.

Verses to consider:
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”

Questions for your consideration:
What does the bible say about putting good for evil and evil for good? Is there biblically such an idea as “good” magic?

On a different note... This next book contains no magic (to my knowledge) but is a fairly popular book even among Christian circles.

Hunger Games- While I haven't researched this book for myself, everything I have heard about it can be summed up in one word...violence. Have you ever looked at what the bible says about violence?
Besides the fact that there is war in the Bible. Just because there is war in the Bible does not (in my opinion from what I read in the Bible) make killing and violence legitimate entertainment. Whether it be, books, movies, music, television shows or video games.

Here are examples of the scriptures that, I believe, support this view:

Proverbs 3:31 "Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways."

Proverbs 24:1-2 "Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble"

Psalm 11:5 "The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, He hates with a
passion."

Psalm 73:6 "Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence"

There is a difference between obeying God's orders for war, or defending ourselves from the violence of evil men, or learning from history (such as the account of the Macabees or the Holoucaust) and using violence as a form of entertainment.
Never in the Bible is violence used to describe the righteous or as a sign of godly character.

"Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

- Bethany -

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Everyday Set-apart Facebok Page

12/10/2012

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In case you haven't heard the news, Everyday Set-apart has a Facebook page!
Go ahead and give us a 'like' if you feel so inclined :)
We will be posting statuses and videos that would only make the blog look cluttered, so,
what are you waiting for??

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Napkin Folding Ideas

12/9/2012

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I love to fold the napkins for Shabbat, Feasts, parties and other special occasions.

Yes, I love to come up with new ideas how to fold different napkins. Here are some that I got a book and some I made up myself.

This napkin fold is one that I made up.
Supplies:
-Napkin (cloth)
-Napkin ring (or a rubber band, just make do with what you have)
-A silk flower

Step 1: Fold the napkin in half then in half again

Step 2: scrunch it up in the middle and secure with napkin ring

Step 3: place flower on and set it on a plate

It's simple, quick and easy.

This napkin fold is perfect for having guests over.

Supplies:

-Napkin (cloth)
-Napkin ring (or a rubber band, just make do with what you have)

Step 1: Lay out the napkin flat and fold about 1 inch up, flip it over and fold it again about 1 inch

Step 2: continue step 1 untill you are at the top.

Step 3: fold the napkin in half and put on the napkin ring about 1 inch from the folded side.

Step 4: place it on the plate and pull out like a fan.

Perfect for a tea or birthday party.

I got this one from a Library book

Supplies:

-Napkin (cloth)
-Something to tie (ribbon, piece of cloth)
-Silk flower

Step 1: lay out flat, fold in half and fold in half again.

Step 2: fold into fourths.

Step 3: tie with piece of cloth and spread it out like a fan.

Step 4: position the flower over the knot and put it on the plate.

I made this one up:).

Supplies:

-2 Napkins (cloths)
-Glass

Step 1: lay out two napkins on top of each other (the one you want showing most goes on the bottom).

Step 2: fold opposite corners into the center.

Step 3: fold remaining corners to the middle.

Step 4: now pick up by the four corners in the center.

Step 5: while still holding the corners with your right hand, use your left hand to bunch up the bottom and put it in the glass.

Some resources are:
-Google
-Books
-Use your imagination!

Hope this will help!

                                    Happy Hanukkah!
                                               Lydia
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The Importance of Spending Time with Brothers

12/7/2012

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I think it is important to spend time with our brothers because they will not stay young forever.

My brother Sherman is 13 and my brother Clayton is 11.

Sherman likes to learn about Science, creation, gardening, farming, and the Bible.

Clayton likes to build mini weapons of mass destruction, he likes to practice his aim while he shoots his air soft guns, he also likes to rollerblade and play outside.

It is important to spend time with our brothers because they grow up so quick and
we need to build our relationships with them while they are still young.

When I spend time with my brothers we like to shoot air soft guns, build forts in the
woods, rollerblade, play at the park with friends, go hiking, play board games and just have fun in whatever we are doing together.

Some ideas of what you can do with your brothers: Play board games, play card games, make a meal together, read books to together, play outside games with them (ex. tag, freeze tag, capture the flag), go on a hike, volunteer somewhere, go to the park, go on a bike ride, and there are many other
things I can’t think of ,so, if you have more ideas comment and tell us!

'Till next time,

Emily

Here's a picture of me with all my siblings.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

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What's Coming Up in December?

12/2/2012

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In the first week of December you can expect:

An article from Emily on the importance of spending time with your brothers and some ideas on activities that you can both enjoy.

Also, Lydia will be posting an article on napkin folding that will consist of; directions for folding, pictures, and resources for more ideas. You can use your newly acquired skills to add beauty to any meal.

Naomi will be posting in second week of December about volunteering at a local food pantry/thrift store. She will share some of her experiences and encourage you to be a servant in your community.

I (Bethany) will also be posting in the second week of December. My post will be about book choices. Even if you don’t completely agree with the conclusions I draw, I hope you will be challenged to re-think your choices.

"Let them praise His Name in a dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre."

For the second half of December we will be posting on:

Praising YHWH (Emily)

Hairstyles Part 2 (Lydia)

Pumpkin Challah Reveiw (Bethany)

Contentment (Naomi)

                                                                                   Keep living (everyday) set-apart,
                                                                                                   -Bethany-

Dates and Themes are subject to change without notice.  ;)

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Pumpkin Challah

Praising Yahweh

Hairstyles Part 2

Volunteering in the Community

Set-Apart Reading (Part 1)

Everyday Set-apart Facebok Page

Napkin Folding Ideas

The Importance of Spending Time with Brothers

What's Coming Up in December?

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