Are you facing giants?

I just finished watching the movie "Facing The Giants," again. I think I could watch it 100 times and cry every time. In case you haven't seen it, it's about a coach who feels totally defeated. The team can't win any games, the player's parents are turning against him, and the townspeople are plotting to get him fired.

He admits to the pastor that he's been praying to God for help, but just doesn't see God working at that school. The pastor reminds him of the story of two farmers, each praying for rain. One of the farmers goes ahead and prepares his fields for the rain. The pastor then asked him which farmer's prayers does he think will be answered. The one that goes ahead and prepares his fields by faith, of course!

The coach commits to give God everything he's got, then whatever happens, happens. Once he has his heart right, the team comes aboard, and an entire town is transformed because of one man's witness.

Here's a clip of the movie : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB59PkB0eQ

Are you facing some giants in your life? Are you praying for rain? Nothing is impossible with God. Give Him everything you've got, give God your best. This includes every part of your life, at home with family, at school with friends, even at work. Then, leave the results up to Him. Praise God if you win, praise God if you lose. Go ahead and prepare the fields, He WILL send the rain.

Here's hoping your soap always bubbles!

The Washtub Handmade Bath & Body
http://www.thewashtub.net

Time For A Staycation

Today is the first day of my "staycation." Defined as time off work but not going away - staying home. Sometimes I like staycations better than vacations - sometimes. We seem to have a tendancy these days to work so hard building a beautiful home and a wonderfully peaceful homelife, that we don't have time to stay home and enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, I love visiting other cities and seeing things I might only see once in my lifetime, taking in other cultures and scenery. But, I'm also one of those people that just loves to stay home. It might be different if I were home all the time, then I would probably be jumping at the chance to get away. But not at this time, not this day. Plus, we get lots of visitors during the day when I would normally be away at work, and I hate missing good company. Look who came to visit today!

What about you? Do you prefer vacations or staycations? We would love to hear from you.

Here's hoping your soap always bubbles!

The Washtub Handmade Bath & Body
http://www.thewashtub.net

Three Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

A friend of mine sent out this recipe today. I couldn't wait to get home and try it out. Besides, testing the recipe before posting it gave me a good excuse to veer from my diet, if only for a moment.

Use a large mug, a coffee cup might run over in your microwave while cooking. Also, using a coffee cup instead of a mug would make it a . . . . . . cup cake. :)

In your mug put 4T plain flour, 4T sugar, and 2T cocoa powder. Stir these together. Add 1 egg and stir. Add 3T milk, 3T oil, a dash of vanilla, and mix well.

This recipe called for cooking in the microwave at 1000 watts for 3 minutes. I couldn't figure out how to set my microwave to cook at 1000 watts so I just set it to med power. I ended up cooking the cake for an additional 30 seconds. Setting at 75% power would probably have been just right. Nevertheless, the results were tastefully sinful and superbly rich and Y U M M Y!!!!

If you are in the mood to share, this cake is so rich it could easily be enough for two. And, if you're really feeling adventurous, top with some whipped cream or a little chocolate syrup, or both. For cooking variations, stir in few chocolate chips or chopped pecans.

MMMmmmmm.

Have you tried one of these before, or even heard of them? Do you have a superb topping choice you would like to share? We would love to hear from you.

Here's hoping your soap always bubbles!

The Washtub Handmade Bath & Body
Natural Skincare for Natural Beauty

Visit us at www.thewashtub.net

My First Blog Post

It doesn't matter who you are or what business you are in, if you have started a blog, there had to be that dreaded "first blog post." According to my level of stress, my now elevated blood pressure, and the new wrinkle on my forehead, you would think I was writing a thesis or something!

What is it that makes the very first post so difficult? Is it because there can only be one "first blog post?" Once you click on the big button that says "publish" is that it? Are you somehow out there floating around in the world wide web's cyberspace waiting for everyone, anyone, to make a comment - or even notice? No more "first blog post" chances. Did you you make a good "first blog post" impression? Will the "second blog post" be so dramatic as to warrant nerve medication?


I can see the long list of "firsts," that are usually documented for all of prosperity to use as ammunition to tease and taunt at every family get-together, changing as I press each key. My first step, first bike ride without training wheels, first day of school, first date, first kiss, first love, first job..... now, first blog post.

How painful was your first blog post? No problem? Like having a tooth pulled? I would love to hear from you.

Hoping your soap always bubbles,


The Washtub Handmade Bath & Body
Visit us at www.thewashtub.net