For a wife to be submissive...

We woke up this morning to huge fluffy snowflakes covering everything outside.  It is the first snow of this season and it is beautiful!  The weather forecasters thought we might get a light dusting, but there is already three inches on the ground and more coming down.  The first snow always makes me want to grab a cup of organic spiced cider, a good book or movie and to cozy up on the couch under a warm blanket.  If only I had time to do that this morning...
I have Bible study and then will finish preparations for the girls' retreat that starts tonight.  The topic of study and discussion for the retreat will be the biblical role of a wife.  I'm going to try to keep it simple, let the girls ask questions and have frank conversations with them.  The following quote is from the book Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood - A Response to Evangelical Feminism.  "Within a healthy Christian marriage, as we explain elsewhere in this book, there will be large elements of mutual consultation and seeking of wisdom, and most decisions will come by consensus between husband and wife.  For a wife to be submissive to her husband will probably not often involve obeying actual commands or directives (though it will sometimes include this), for a husband may rather give requests and seek advice and discussion about the course of action to be followed (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:8, Philemon 8-9).  Nevertheless, a wife's attitude of submission to her husband's authority will be reflected in numerous words and actions each day that reflect deference to his leadership and acknowledgment of his final responsibility - after discussion, whenever possible - to make decisions affecting the whole family."
God created Eve because He said it was not good for man to be alone and He created a helper suitable for Adam. What I didn't know, until doing a word study, was that the definition for "helper" means "to surround, protect or aid".  Wow!  I had always thought that only the husband had the protector role in the relationship.  But, girls, part of our role as a wife is in protecting our husbands.  What does that mean? Hmmm... I think that warrants further study! More to come on this misunderstood topic...
I would love your questions or comments on what you have discovered on this issue through Bible study.  It could be a heated discussion in Nanna's Kitchen, but let's keep it loving and honest!


Thanksgiving Decorations

I bought a large silk leafy fall bush and faux sprigs of berries on clearance several years ago and cut all the branches apart to scatter around the house, placing them in random arrangements. Some are the same every year and some are different, depending on how much time I have to decorate.  Have I mentioned lately how much I love fall?!

Today's Recipe - Cream of Mushroom Soup
Colorado Cache
4 servings

1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup chopped green onions, including tops
2 cups chopped fresh shitake mushrooms ( I use baby portabella)
2 tablespoons flour (I use 1 tablespoon cornstarch added to the liquid)
1 cup half & half
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Saute onions in butter over low heat for five minutes or until tender.  Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, for two minutes.  Add flour and cook, stirring, for three minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add chicken stock and half & half in a steady stream, whisking.  Bring the soup to a boil over moderate heat.  simmer, stirring, for five minutes.  Add salt and pepper.  Serve.
Note:  Better if made ahead and reheated.
Serve with french bread slices broiled with sliced baby Swiss cheese on top.  Delicious!