“Practical Simplicity Photography”

will be closing (is now closed) and moving to back to this blog with it’s own page near the top of the sidebar labeled “Miss Antoinette’s Photography”!  Read below my last post I had on my photography blog as to why:

Due to recent VIDEO I watched about one of Google’s sodomite beliefs (at least the only one I know about), I will be leaving Blogger as I do not wish to support such behavior.

I will be leaving a few other things connected with Google (including google friend connect aka. the follow button) as well and will be transitioning a bit, so I will sadly be closing this blog but happily starting over at the blog my mom and I started over a year ago where it all started: 

“Practical Simplicity: For His Glory”

So PLEASE head over there to see my photography from now on and not here as I will no longer be posting at this blog and after a month or so close it down for good, but in the mean time am giving y’all the head’s up to transition yourselves!

if YOU have a blogger account and this video link make you just as frustrated as I am, think about switching to WordPress or another blogging site.  not all sites are perfect, but when they get this blunt this is when I think it is time to stand up!

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.

Feel free to comment about your thoughts on this as I always enjoy your comments!

This is only a farewell from this blog and Hello to the next!   Honestly, I had been thinking about doing this for some time and this video just confirmed it.

In Christ,

Miss Antoinette

There is another change you will see on this blog….the “follow” button will be disabled and no longer on our blog, so if you wish to keep up with our blog please bookmark it or subscribe to our feed so you can keep enjoying our blog and not wonder why it is “missing” or not there.

As some of you know, our shop is on “vacation mode” till life settles down and we are able to resume our little shop, till then we are cooking up some delightful new items and a new look to the site as well that we are very excited about!  I am also no longer writing the newsletters as sadly there is no time for me to put the effort I would like into them and family is so much more important and need to spend my time more wisely in this area.

I might also be messing with changing the layout of this blog also during the year to give it a fresh new look!

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.

Thank you dear readers for understanding!

In Christ,

Miss Antoinette

I am so excited to finally be back to doing my “Tune in Tuesday” post!!!!

Soon, I will be posting an update on what we have been up to, but for now this weeks song…..

In the midst of what our family is going through (which I will explain in my up and coming post) hymns and other soothing praise songs have been such a blessing and a refreshment to the soul and keep my mind focused on the Savior and give me a joyful spirit in the midst of adversity!

Here is one of the many songs I hope to share with y’all in the following weeks that I greatly enjoy and are all a blessing:

Whate’er My God Ordains is Right

Original Trinity Hymnal, #94

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Holy his will abideth;
I will be still whate’er he doth;
And follow where he guideth:
He is my God: though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me:
I take, content, what he hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait his day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking:
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet am I not forsaken;
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to him I leave it all.

Unfortunately, I could not find a video with the traditional rendition of this song. If anyone does, PLEASE leave me a comment with the link to the video, or song!

Here is another newer rendition that I like as well (rendition originally done by Indelible Grace)

Whatever My God Ordains is Right

Blessings in Christ,

Miss Antoinette

*Quick Note* Miss Antoinette’s photography blog will be closing.  To read more about why, click HERE!!!

To see photographs from now on, check the “Miss Antoinette’s Photography” page on this blog (near the top of the blog on the sidebar)  from now on!

This year I am reading through “Morning and Evening” by Charles Spurgeon and what an encouragement this book has been!  I have shared a snippet of this delightful book once before, and share yet another portion of this lovely book of mine!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good devotion and greatly enjoys the puritans writing (like I myself do)!

I meant to share this a few days ago, but am now getting around to it!  I pray this post would be a blessing to you and yours!

Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon
Evening May 18th

“Afterward.”
Hebrews 12:11

How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty, we sit down in the arbour to rest; after traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the healing branch from the tree of life. Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them “afterwards.” It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are “afterward” good things, harsh ploughings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied; if, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy “afterwards” in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world’s days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires, how will he extol him before the eternal throne! If evil be good to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then? Oh, blessed “afterward!” Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown which cometh afterwards? But herein is work for patience, for the rest is not for today, nor the triumph for the present, but “afterward.” Wait, O soul, and let patience have her perfect work.

Resting in Him,

Miss Antoinette

Mrs. Jocelyn Klotz  from “Homemaker In Progress” !

We pray it will be a blessing to you, and that you enjoy this yummy recipe!

Hello Practical Simplicity readers!

I am Jocelyn Klotz.  The LORD brought my family and the Konvalin’s together for the first time a little over a year ago when we came to visit their church during a family trip to California.  We quickly found that we have a lot in common; one of which, is a passion for eating and living a naturally healthy lifestyle.

Along this line of natural health, I would like to share with you one of our family’s favorite, healthy winter desserts.  Actually, we have it throughout the year too, but it’s especially great during the winter season when unhealthy sugary treats abound and you desire a healthier alternative.

My Background:

I am your average housewife whose eyes have been opened to truth, Biblical truths, in the area of health and nutrition.  I do not have a medical degree but I would definitely consider myself an “informed consumer”.  I am certified as a Raw Food Teacher/Chef through the Living on Live Food program and have studied natural health on my own for over the past 9 years.  I don’t proclaim to know everything, but what I do know, I share.

A Biblical Focus:

When it comes to natural health, our foundation, as with any other area in our lives, comes from the Word of God.  If you are new to natural health, I would like to list three simple principles for your consideration from Rex Russell’s book, What The Bible Has To Say About Healthy Living.  These principles have been foundational in our own family’s Biblical approach to health.

1. Eat the foods God created for you.

2. Don’t alter God’s design.

3. Don’t let any food or drink become your god.

The Recipe:

I hope you will be encouraged to try this recipe.  It is absolutely DELICIOUS, easy, and totally healthy.  I have another version of this recipe, but this is the easiest.  To give credit where credit is due, the original recipe came from The Nourishing Gourmet blog, but I have tweaked it slightly to suit our tastes.   You may want to double or triple the recipe. Enjoy! 

“Divine Coconut Peanut Butter Fudge”

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup virgin coconut oil

½ cup raw cacao powder (raw chocolate)

½ cup coconut sugar or honey

¼ cup peanut butter or almond butter (optional)

Seeds from 1 vanilla bean (or ½ tsp. vanilla extract)

Dash of sea salt

Melt the coconut oil (be careful not to overheat).  If using granulated coconut sugar, blend it in a blender until it is a light powder.  Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

Place parchment paper in a loaf or glass pan.  Pour fudge into pan and place it in the refrigerator or freezer to set.  Cut into candy-size pieces and serve cold.  Coconut oil melts above 76*.  Store in refrigerator for 12 months.

*This recipe substitutes well with other ingredients.  Feel free to experiment!

Article by:

~Mrs. Jocelyn Klotz~

]]> http://practicalsimplicity.com/blog/2011/04/surprise-guest-post-recipe/feed/ 4 http://practicalsimplicity.com/blog/2011/03/a-season-for-everything/ http://practicalsimplicity.com/blog/2011/03/a-season-for-everything/#comments Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:57:52 +0000 practicalsimplicity http://practicalsimplicity.com/blog/?p=990 Hello dear readers!

(lovely orange blossoms in our backyard! Wish y’all could smell them, they are so wonderful!)

We hope y’all have been having a great year so far, and if not, we pray that the Lord would strengthen you and draw you ever closer to Himself during your struggles.

Our family has been having a very rough year, but the Lord has been so faithful and we (as a family) are learning so much during this time of trial and “adventures” in our lives and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us and how we apply what we are learning in the future!  As some of our dear readers know, we are helping our grandparents, mainly grandma who has severe dementia.   Caring for someone you love who has great trouble caring for herself and cannot think properly anymore is heartbreaking at times.  This is taking most of our time……..till this last week that is!

We are now finding we will be moving much sooner than expected, as we received a letter from the owner of our home, giving us a 60 day notice to vacate.  This was a HUGE surprise, but after living in our home for 11+ years, we are ready for change and look forward to seeing where the Lord will guide us in the next couple months.  Our desire is to move out of state, but we are keeping an open mind, not knowing where the Lord would want us to be.  We have been trying to sell our grandparent’s mobile home so we could all move into a home big enough for all 7 of us, but due to the market, prices are so low and no one is interested at this time.  So we make due, knowing it is the Lord’s will and make the best of it, and enjoy it no matter how crazy it gets!

The Lord uses these circumstances not only to teach us and grow us ever closer to Himself, but ultimately for His glory!  With this in mind, we strive to serve our grandparents and do all we can to help knowing the Lord sees and (we pray) is pleased, and because of this we are all the more joyful to serve with our whole hearts into it, and keep on packing away!

I shared this with some of you, but this hymn below has been so encouraging to me during this season of our lives that I pray would be of encouragement to you as well!

Whate’er My God Ordains is Right

Original Trinity Hymnal, #94

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Holy his will abideth;
I will be still whate’er he doth;
And follow where he guideth:
He is my God: though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me:
I take, content, what he hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait his day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking:
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet am I not forsaken;
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to him I leave it all.

Due to the craziness that just does not seem to slow down here in the Konvalin household, Within two weeks time, I will be putting our shop on vacation mode till it slows down and I and my mother can take the time that is necessary to get it going again. Right now, our priorities are focused elsewhere for the time being that is far more important.

I am sorry to be giving this notice, but for the next two weeks you can still purchase anything in our shop, so hurry before it is too late and you are stuck waiting till who knows when! Plus we have a few new items in our shop!

Practical Simplicity “Simply Practical Products”

I am so sorry our poor blog has been neglected for so long, but Lord willing once life slows down a bit we will be able to share more yummy recipes, sewing projects, and other goings on in the Konvalin home!

Resting in Him,

PS. Hopefully I will be able to update our photo as well shortly!

We read this this morning (a book that I miss Antoinette am reading this year) and knew we needed to share this with y’all!  It was so encouraging and refreshing to read and pray it will be a blessing to you as well!

“Perhaps O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know That thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness.
hope itself is like a star – not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of His children’s graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying praying for trials? – for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until that faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?”

“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.”

~ Morning Feb. 18 “Morning and Evening” by C.H Spurgeon~

Much love and blessings,

Now, we knew we had to save the best giveaway for last, and….. so we have!!!  We knew this giveaway would not be complete if we did not put together a little something (well, actually some things!) made by us to make this an extra special treat!

We have put together a little gift basket with all of our favorite things…made just for the providential winner who we pray will be blessed by it!

In this lovely basket are two lip balms (Chocolate and Maple Nut)

A set of our lovely fall dish cloths…

with a fun denim tissue cover,

some lovely hand made lavender, cinnamon body cream made by Mom (Mrs. Donna K.)….

and to top it all off, a great book we have read and would highly recommend (that was graciously donated by the Chalcedon Foundation)

“A Word in Season” by R.J. Rushdoony!!!!!

You have till this Saturday (Feb 5th) till 10:00PM to enter! Check out how to enter HERE and come back to this post to enter please!

(Sorry, no international attendance please!)

*Question #4:  What is your favorite item you have seen/and or/ purchased, or won  from our shop or blog?

Blessings in Christ,

Miss Laure Elizabeth

We hope this magazine will draw you closer to the Savior, and encourage you in your biblical roll as a godly young woman in the home!

Now for our last and final giveaway of this wonderful blog party!

Well, actually we will not be posting our final giveaway till next week due to some changes in the Konvalin household that are giving us less time on the computer (and time period) to put this last one together….but it is coming and we hope you will enjoy it!!!!

It has been such a blessing to receive e-mails from our dear readers with words of sweet encouragement at this time, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts so very much!

I (Miss Antoinette) will be posting part 2 of our road trip photos soon as well!

Leaning on our Savior,

We apologize for the delay in posting the next giveaway, and hope all are excited as we are to share with you what it is!!!

As we have told y’all before, we LOVE to read, so this next giveaway is one magazine both of us enjoy reading and I (Miss Antoinette) am greatly encouraged by in keeping my focus on my Savior and my duties in the home and being content till the day (Lord willing) I have a family of my own!

The Kings Blooming Rose Magazine is WONDERFUL!!!!  We recently subscribed to it and has quickly become our favorite!  Miss Sarah B. (the very sweet young lady behind KBR) has graciously donated a free year subscription to give away and we were so excited to add it to our Anniversary Blog Party!!!

Miss Sarah B. has also graciously invested some of her time in answering a few questions,  so you can get to know her and her ministry better and know what kind of a lovely magazine this is! A BIG thank you to Miss Sarah for doing this for our blog! *hugs*

Interview With Miss Sarah Bryant of Kings Blooming Rose Ministry

1.   Konvalin Ladies~ How did KBR get started?

Sarah~ Hello! My name is Sarah Bryant. The King’s Blooming Rose Magazine began in 2005, when I was inspired by another publication to begin a magazine for girls. KBR has grown much in the past 6 years and I am so grateful for all that the Lord has done through its publication. I continue to learn so much as my family and I compile, edit, and mail each quarterly issue. One of my favorite aspects of publishing it is hearing from young ladies with a similar vision for girlhood from across the country.

2. Konvalin Ladies~ Does your ministry have a key verse that you share?

Sarah~ We want to encourage young ladies to prepare to be the “Proverbs 31″ woman and to be ready to fulfill the role given in Titus 2:4-5:

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Since this womanly calling will not be obtained overnight, it is our desire to encourage girls to prepare to be godly keepers at home and help-meets.

3. Konvalin Ladies~ What other products do you sell?

Sarah~ Along with publishing The King’s Blooming Rose, we have a color 2011 Calendar which has a Scripture Memory theme, Scripture Verse Stationery Sets, “The Young Maid Compilation” (question and answer column featuring homemaking-related topics), and a book that I wrote this year, “The Family Daughter.” Right now we have a sale on the calendars – buy two and receive a free back issue of KBR Magazine.

4. Konvalin Ladies~ What inspired you to write “The Family Daughter”?

Sarah~ In 2008, the Lord prompted me to write a book to encourage Christian girls to love their families, and to serve them as a daughter a home, in preparation for someday becoming a keeper at home, Lord willing. As I embarked on this project, it turned into a bigger task than I had imagined. After a two-year journey of rewriting, researching, and editing, The Family Daughter: Becoming Pillars of Strength In Our Father’s House rolled off the press this summer. To God be the glory for bringing this book to completion! My prayer for it is that young girls will be encouraged to treasure their family and to use their maiden days wisely.

5. Konvalin Ladies~ Any encouraging words you wish to share to other stay-at-home daughters or to others

thinking about it?

Sarah~ Our God-given calling as daughters is such a high and noble calling, though when we choose to make this decision to stay at home with our family, we will face a certain amount of persecution from the world. My encouragement to you would be to not grow weary in well doing! We daughters may be overlooked or scorned by the world, and it can be easy to fall for the mindset that we need to do something bigger to be “important.” Do not be deceived by this worldly idea! Your service for the Lord at home is not in vain; He sees your heart and the sacrifices you make in serving your family. I want to encourage you to delight in the ministry of blessing those around you—treasure the opportunity and pour your heart into it, for it is Christ’s calling for you. May the Lord be glorified through our lives of complete and humble obedience to His will. God bless you each.

So, from today till Saturday January 22 is when you can enter, and be sure to read the entry info. HERE and PLEASE come back to this post to leave your entry comments!

(sorry, no international entries please!)

Question #3 ~ Do you have a favorite magazine you would highly recommend?

May all our dear readers have a blessed week resting in our Savior!

We also enjoy learning about health and nutrition, and how to best keep our bodies well to further the Lord’s Kingdom!  Miss Antoinette will soon be contributing to a wonderful blog “Ye Are Not Your Own” and share some of the things we have learned about health and nutrition!  In this new year we also hope to post more recipes and such here on our blog!

In this first giveaway we are giving away one of our new favorite books.  See the review below so you know how good of a book you will be entering to win! And if you don’t win, it is well worth the investment!

“Health For Godly Generations” by Renee DeGroot

Mother has graciously written this review of the book to share with you:

“Health For Godly Generations:  A Reformational Perspective is refreshing and convicting as the author uses pure scripture to point out biblical principles for health and nutrition.  This is not another unsound ‘diet’ book listing what you should or should not eat, but rather an encouragement to seek what God in His word says about health and nutrition.

Whether you are just beginning to think about what it means to eat better or you have been studying nutrition for years, you will be uplifted by a topic that otherwise could be daunting and discouraging.  After all, which of the thousands of ‘experts’ out there do you believe?  Renee DeGroot expresses her thoughts lovingly and gently but also boldly as she exhorts believers to look to scripture for the answers to their health needs.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31“

We thought this post would not be complete without a scrumptious, and healthy recipe!  Here is a simply wonderful guilt-free treat that our family enjoys that is dairy -free, gluten-free, and soy-free!

Nut Butter Balls

1 cup of your favorite nut butter (peanut, almond, sunflower seed…etc.)

1/2 cup raw honey

1 1/2 – 2 cups finely shredded unsweetened coconut

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips ~ *optional

Mix all ingredients together in medium size bowl.  Take teaspoon size amounts of the mixture and roll into bite size balls.  Place on a baking sheet or glass baking pan (9″x13″ inch).  When all the mixture is rolled and in the pan, place the pan into the freezer for an hour or two.  You can eat as is but they taste best when frozen.  *The chocolate chips we use are made by Enjoy Life Foods and are soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free but they do contain a small amount of cane sugar.  Just wanted to let you know in case you need to completely avoid sugar for specific needs.  These are tasty even without the chocolate chips.

Now does that not sound delightful or what!?

Now for entering this great giveaway!!!

Please follow this link HERE for the 3 ways of entering this giveaway!

(sorry no international attendants please)

*Question #1: What is your favorite recipe book or health/nutrition book you enjoy?  Feel free to share a yummy recipe you enjoy!(receive 1 entry)

This giveaway ends on January 8th (at 9:00PM) and will be announced on the 10th!

*disclaimer* We are not affiliated with Miss DeGroot or her site, just some passionate readers wanting to share with you this great book!

Blessings in Christ,

PS. Don’t forget about our BIG sale that ends on the 10th of January!  Click HERE to take a peek at the great savings!