Honeycomb Cottage

Random cards I thought I would share.

2012-02-01T21:05:00.002-06:00

I don't plan to post cards much, but I have made a few in the last year I thought I would put on here.

You have seen a version of this one before. My friend Kim made one like this for my birthday and I posted it last April. Okay, she did not make one like this one, I designed this card off of her beautiful card. It was fun to make, one of my favorites.

This card was also so much fun to make. I felt like I was playing, sort of how I loved coloring as a kid.

This little poem came to me in an instant. I had started this card but was not even thinking about it when this popped in my head. It is a bit of a spin off of a nursery rhyme that one of the recepients of this card loved when she was a little girl.

This card was so much fun. One of my favorite color combinations and so Sweet!

Sometimes you just have to stop and say a simple thank you to someone that has shown you love.

A small gift for a dear woman going through a horrible time and would be sending some Thank You cards.

And then a special card just for her went with the Thank You cards.

Just a grace note.

Simple but great message, such sweet words, Bee Happy!

Let your love shine.

2012-01-31T22:10:00.000-06:00

When we were in the market to buy a house here we contacted a couple that work as a team. They turned out to be trustworthy people to do business with and completely lovely people to get to know. After going through a few houses together we discovered that we shared something; we all love Scottish Terriers. They had two, Mac and Molly. We often talked about Mac, Molly and Baxter. A while back I got the most heart breaking email from them. They lost their 12 year old Scottie Molly to stomach cancer. I was so sad; that email really broke my heart. Obviously, there was nothing I could do so I pulled out some paper, a stamp, some ribbon my Cuttlebug, new Nestabilities and ink, and made a card. Somehow that always makes me feel as if I have contributed something positive in the life of those grieving.

This is not the first sympathy card I have sent for a Scottie. In February 2007 a wonderful little Scottie boy named Duncan passed away. He belonged to two of our friends in Shawnee, Kansas. this is the card I made for them.

I realize that I am talking about fur family and not traditional family, but the loss of someone we love is painful. The absence of a loved one leaves a really big hole in our heart, one that can never be replaced because everyone, including our furry friends, are unique, irreplaceable. I could go into a little talk here about how God meets all of our needs, and He does. I could talk about how He mends the broken hearted, and He does. I could talk about putting our trust in Him, and better advice is not to be found. I could mention how much He loves us and His love and mercy endure forever, and He does and it does. But what I want to say right here, right now is don't take those you love for granted. Show them you love them and make sure they know it. Don't squabble over little things that when they become strife can open the door for all sorts of nastiness and evil. Give love freely and unconditionally. Never let those you love have to wonder whether you love them or not, give them the gift of confidence in your unconditional agape love (the kind of love God has) for them.

Cookies, cards, family and friendship.

2011-04-25T11:40:00.015-05:00

Thank you, Kim. You are a good friend and a generous one!

Cookies and a Card

Those items in the picture above are gifts my dear friend Kim gave me for my birthday in September 2009. I feel awful because I am just now posting them. They are all from her heart. The Nestabilities are the only ones I own and I love them. The pad comes with them and the stamps are so beautiful, she knew I would love those. I have never seen All Creatures Great & Small, until she sent the DVD's to me. What wonderful tales of veterinary medicine and animals in York! The card. Kim has made some very amazing cards over the years. This is my favorite. I is the most beautiful card. My favorite colors, vellum and baking too! I have it displayed in my spare bedroom with other cards she has sent me. Thank you, Kim!

I believe the last time I made a card was July, 2009. That is SO sad! I am redefining my life right now; I am taking it back and making it what I want it to be. Card making may not be the defining point of my life, nor sadly enough it may not be a huge part of my life, but it is most definitely one of the pleasures of life as far as I am concerned. It is therapy at its finest as it provides stress relief, an outlet to create and time of quite and meditation ~ even if I have a DVD popped in. I made a this card that same weekend we tried this church. That is huge. Sad, yeah I know. It was the first card I have made I think since Kim sent me the Nestabilities, I used one of them. They are wonderful! How easy to make that circle now. Did I say, Thank you, Kim??? My daughter had a VERY trying week that week, and that was the easy part. My son~in~law and grandson experienced big time yuck that week. Card and cookie time! It is so hard as a Nana to be so far away when nastiness strikes. So, what does a Nana do? Pray. Pray and pray. Then when you have done that she stands firm on the promises she just prayed over those that need it and then she makes a card, bakes some cookies, and heads to the post office.

Loads of Love!!!!!

And how better to say that than with pink M & M's?

I can not end this post without saying how happy I am for the Green Bay Packers win this year at SuperBowl XVL! Any of you that followed my blog back when I was faithful to write in it know they are my team. My husband and one son~in~law are Chicago Bears fans. Another son~in~law is a Washington Redskins fan, and one of my grandson’s is a Minnesota Vikings fan. Christmas this year brought plenty of evidence of that. NFL.com made out quite well with my family this year as you will see in the picture below, and that was not all of it. The amazing thing was that as devoted as we are to our respective teams; the Christmas Spirit was also abundantly evident in how we all gave each other that which meant something to the recipient even though it was a little against our own preferred favorite team. Green Bay did win the SuperBowl and I was proud of them and delighted, but not anywhere as much as I was this past Christmas of my family, when giving from the heart is always more of a win! The blessed life.

Christmas Spirit!

Just a word?

2010-11-15T21:05:00.003-06:00

I just love seeing these colors when I drive up to my house and pull in. I love Autumn!!

Since my last post was in September and titled Summer is over..., and this is November, clearly I could call this post Autumn is here... if only it were the same year. It is though not a little over a month later, but a a little over a year later. I enjoy writing and sharing things, and I have been reading some of the blogs I enjoy. This last year has been quite a growing time for me. With growth there is usually stretching and often some pain. Let me just say, I have grown a LOT this last year. I would start to blog and become overwhelmed. There was so much I wanted to say and share. Too much I suppose. I imagine some of what I have learned will start to come out over time here on my blog. I do want to share with you some wonderful, life changing things I have been discovering. I also have a few things to share that do not come with such energy, just simple good things from the year.

In the mean time, and for quite some time, there is something that has really made me quite uneasy. Truth be known, it has honestly grieved me at times. That grieved feeling just occurred as I just encountered this particular issue again. I decided it was time to write about it. Writing seems to sort it all out for me. I have been writing this year, just not blogging. While writing what follows, I decided it was time to and that I was ready to get back to blogging. I don’t typically post a rant from a soap box, and I do wonder if it is really the way I should step back in to the blogosphere. This entry on my blog is a bit of a rant and it is how I am getting back into this world of blogs that I do enjoy.

Here goes.

The word “sweet” is used as a verbal response to everything from a job well done to kids succeeding at some mischievous deed. The latter concerns me. The word that I feel is so vastly and erroneously, if not simply ignorantly used is “awesome”. The way this word is so cavalierly thrown around honestly disheartens; no it actually grieves me. We have “dumbed down” our society in so many ways and lowered the standard for so many things once held dear. Language and good communication have an important role in achieving and maintaining a good quality of life. I suppose I could roll off into a tangent here about texting, IMing and other social medias where loose abbreviations, flat out misspelled words and little if any grammar or punctuation is used. What I really want to comment on here however is the way “awesome” is abused. The word “misuse” connotes simply using something wrongly where no harm is present. Abuse denotes using something so wrongly that harm is brought to bear. The correct word here is, abuse.

awesome:

c.1600, "profoundly reverential,"

Original meaning in 1600’s according to the Online Etymology Dictionary Douglas Harper, Historian.

I understand that some of the events God caused were and are awesome. Since an offshoot definition of awesome is: to be characterized by awe, and awe inspiring, it is still connected to who God is . The root of those things is the things God created or did, and He is the only One that could create or do them. So basically, they still go back to the original meaning, “profoundly reverential”.

c.1670’s from awe + some. Meaning"inspiring awe”

Online Etymology Dictionary Douglas Harper, Historian.

The Lord replied, “Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you. Exodus 34:10

By the early 1960’s this word had adapted a dumbed and watered down usage. Awesome was truly weakened and stripped of its original beautiful meaning. It became the familiar and common vernacular for something being really good, impressive or great. That is a huge step, leap down from "profoundly reverential". What is worse, typically the word “totally” is said directly before awesome. How many times have you heard, or sorry to ask, said, “That is totally awesome!”? In a current Thesaurus, under the word “spooky” the synonym “awesome” was listed. WOW! From a wonderful adjective to describe God, to a being a word to sensationalize the word spooky is so very sad.

If we diminish our language by using words that are intended for the majesty and glory of God for the works and emotions of man, then we deny ourselves the opportunity to have the incomparable and unparalleled relationship with God we were created to have. We diminish our ability to rightly give God his rightful place, or at best desensitize ourselves to equate God with being really good, impressive or great. Both are sabotaged by simple familiarity and common mediocrity. When we in any way compromise the value of our personal relationship with God and all of the promises and love therein, we put ourselves in a position to experience harm.

God’s handiwork is awesome. His authority, power and majesty are awesome. HE is awesome, and there is none like Him! Now that is awe inspiring to the degree of life changing!

The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God.He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne. Psalm 89:7

And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel , they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud. Exodus 16:10

“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—

glorious in holiness,

awesome in splendor,

performing great wonders?" Exodus 15:11

There are other wonderful verses with the word awesome perfectly placed by describing our Awesome God.

Given the vastness of this word being used (abused) the way it is used, it is likely and I am aware of this, I could be standing alone on my soap box. Before he left this world and stepped into glory, at least I had one concordant soul.

C.S. Lewis once said:

“Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.”

Summer is over...

2009-09-27T16:15:00.010-05:00

although here in Oklahoma, there are days that still hit the 90's, like today when the mercury easily hit the low 90's. Oklahoma, has much to offer, but I think I have come to the conclusion, I am a colder weather girl. I like and miss the snow. Anyway, technically summer is over and here is a my offering to its close. Like everything else I have no business eating, I will take this to work in the morning.

As always, click piccies to enlarge if you like.

Front

Back

The cake is dark chocolate filled with cappuccino crème and frosted with vanilla buttercream. I am thinking about calling this combination, Cappuccino Cocoa Cake.

Needless to say, this post will not be getting the Healthy Eating or Nutrition label.

Autumn is here!!! My favorite time of year!!! I will be doing something for the office to express that, soon. Stay tuned. :-)

Cake and Friendship

2009-09-20T07:38:00.012-05:00

I don't suppose I have ever mentioned this on my blog, but I am not a social network fan. I have a Facebook page so that I can see pictures of family and keep up on their day to day goings on, as well as a couple dear friends in Europe. I however do not really like Facebook, MySpace, or ClassMates and definitely not Twitter where people shoot off streams of tweets to each other. I like a quiet uncomplicated world and see no use for the time or energy spent to throw food at each other, play Mafia Wars or Farkle, see what a persons favorite tattoo is, discover what city they should be living in, which Michael Jackson song they are, what Disney character they are most like or any of the other mindless, useless and time consuming twaddle that goes on. I have so many other things that I love to do and want to accomplish that to engage in, or even read all of that nonsense makes no sense. I have a list of books I really want to read, and the list grows. I never seem to have enough time to read my Bible like I like to, or spend time just talking with God at length... really spending quality time. I love to sew and enjoy making cards. I don't get to spend enough time out with Debra, or on the phone with Kim, in Georgia. I like the art museum, zoo and even the National Cowboy Museum, go figure. Though I try, I never seem to get my fill of those things. Not to mention painting some of the rooms in our new home. Suffice it to say, I guard my time and those social network activities, even reading others activities like those mentioned above simply have no place in my life.

Now, having said and meaning all of that I have tell you a little something. Jon enjoys the connections he has made through some of the social networking he does. Michael Hyatt, is a christian, runner, and writer, all things Jon is and does. Jon enjoys keeping up with him through Twitter. He has discovered helpful things through that connection like better note taking skills that suit his personality while in meetings, better shoes for running, an author named John Eldredge, just to name a few. Recently, Jon pressed in to connect with classmates from high school and college. He has re~connected with a few friends that he has wondered about over the years and is now enjoying contact with them. I imagine there will be a meeting of some sort before long. One of the friends he connected with is a high school classmate named, Scott. Scott has put an adult lifetime into a career that has served him well thus far. His passion however is cakes.

Allow me to digress here briefly. Remember that list of those things I enjoy doing up above? Those of you that follow this blog may have noticed that I did not mention baking desserts and making cakes to decorate. I have mulled over the idea of baking full time and stepping out of corporate America as far as punching a clock for someone else for a couple of years now. Within the last month I decided to start taking steps to do that. With pen in hand and constantly thinking about just such a venture, I am beginning to see how I can do that. Since making that decision it is amazing the things that have transpired. It is like I raised my rod (made a decision), and God parted the Red Sea and showed me how to get to the other side, and with His blessing.

Back to Jon and his rekindled friendships. In the course of conversation, Jon mentioned to Scott, my love for cakes. After a week or so, Scott and I were communicating. Since that time he has made me privy to priceless professional decorating tips, ingredient ideas, tools that he uses that he designed himself and so much more. Scott, has a cake business called, & Eat it Too! He does NOT use fondant, bar the few flowers surrounding a cake on rare occasion. He had me right there! I know it is pretty and all the craze right now, but it does not taste good, has a nearly repulsive texture to chew and is way too much work on the back and shoulders to ever be worth using. He is strictly a Buttercream man and has a great selection of flavors to choose from. I don't think they are all listed on his web site. Here is a link to that web site. I have added his business card as a link to my sidebar as well. Beyond all of this new information I am blessed to be receiving, I feel like I have made a friend with a kindred spirit.

The cake photo's below are a cake he made for a wedding yesterday. The couple met in a book store, hence the tiers being books. How creative is that? He designed and decorated this cake, and those are regular cakes, no shaped pans here. Now lets take it a step further. Autumn begins this week. The cake is a spice cake with apple filling and cinnamon buttercream frosting. Books, apples, cinnamon and spice... how much more Autumn does it get?

I am so excited about my new friend and his beautiful work that I wanted to share this with all of you.

Once Upon a Time, and Happily Ever After.

I still have no use for the folly frenzy mentioned at the opening of this post, but I am so grateful to have the opportunity to have made a friend like, Scott. I am thankful for Scott, period. Take a little time and go look at his web site and its sidebar links. If you like to play with icing and cake, you will be inspired. If you just enjoy and appreciate good craftsmanship, you will be impressed. If you just like pretty things, you will be pleased. If you live in the Canton, Ohio area or within 75 miles and are in need of a cake, call him! :-)

A hit with hubby.

2009-07-26T17:56:00.004-05:00

Can I just say right off the bat that this recipe does not qualify for my "Healthy Eating" label? If however I were to create a "Happy Hubby" label, and I probably should... yeah... okay I will, the recipe does qualify for that one.

While on the phone with my daughter Melissa, she told me about a recipe she had made the night before for her family. They really liked it. That was not a big surprise since she can cook, and she makes the kind of down home food that most everyone enjoys. I am however considered the family "foodie" the "health nut". I was raised on and taught down home cooking, ie. biscuits and gravy, fried chicken, real mashed potatoes, baked goods including bread from scratch, casseroles, homemade soups etc. You get the idea. Oh, no bars held in the fat, sugar or white flour areas. In fact, the only rule was that it had to taste good... really good, and it always did. In the midst of all of that however, my father who taught me to cook and bake, did have a bent toward fresh fruits, vegetables and meat as well as using "real" ingredients like butter, milk, the freshest eggs and cheese in town, and no mixes or dehydrated things like instant rice or potatoes, or imitations like imitation vanilla or that colored corn syrup they call pancake syrup and try to pass off as an economical alternative to real maple syrup. In the end, that bent of fresh and pure became my focus in cooking and baking. I realize most prefer the down home country style cooking, but I do more of the fresh ingredient style cooking. Jon is okay to eat that way, but he prefers Melissa's culinary creations if the truth be told. So, if I want to make something quick, easy, inexpensive and to please Jon's palate, I only need to make whatever Melissa has been preparing for her family. Melissa is a Rachael Ray fan. This is one of Rachael Ray's recipes, and I will print it here exactly as it appears on her web site.

Cheeseburger Bread

Pre-heat oven to 375°F.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 pound ground sirloin
1 medium onion, ﬁnely chopped
1 tablespoons chili powder
Salt and ground black pepper
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup beef stock
1 tube frozen pizza dough, defrosted
2 tablespoons all-purpose ﬂour or cornmeal
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 egg, beaten with
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Place large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add the meat to the pan and cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes.
Add the onion and chili powder to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the onion is tender, 4-5 minutes.
Add the mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and beef stock to the pot, bring up to a bubble and simmer until thickened, 4-5 minutes. Let cool.
Dust your hands and lightly coat the pizza dough with ﬂour or cornmeal before rolling it out onto a work surface.
Roll out the dough slightly so it's approximately 11x16".
Top the dough with the cooled meat mixture and top that with the cheese. Leave a one-inch border on each side.
Fold all the borders in and over onto an inch of the meat mixture. Roll the dough up into a log shape forming a spiral in the middle.
Brush the roll with egg wash and sprinkle it with sesame seeds. Transfer the roll to a baking sheet and bake until dough is evenly golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let cool slightly.
To serve, slice up the cheeseburger bread and serve with a side of ketchup for dipping. Like a cheeseburger and a pizza all rolled together!

Browned meat, onions and seasoning placed on pizza dough.

Cheese spread on seasoned meat and onions, dough folded around.

Done baking.

Jon likes his hamburgers to have mayonnaise and classic yellow mustard on them. He likes pickles every now and then, so added them. Iced tea and dinner is done! In Melissa's culinary world vegetables are always a negotiable item... emphasis on the neg in negotiable. Keeping in the tradition of enjoying Melissa's cuisine, Jon was pleased to let the pickles suffice as greens.
Me? I did sample a bite. It was what it was, and for this kind of thing (which is not my preference) it was good. This is just not my kind of thing. But Jon really enjoyed it as did Melissa's family.

I used Pillsbury's thick crust pizza dough that is in the refrigerator section of your grocery. I dissolved a bouillon cube in a cup of hot water primarily because I had no beef stock or broth on hand. Also, I will not any salt next time. We don't use much salt around here and I thought it was too salty. Most of the recipes I have tried of Rachael Ray's seem to be that way and so I guess a good rule of thumb might be to re~think the salt in any of her recipes I may consider using for our house. Overall, I recommend this one for a family dinner or I would not be sharing it here. If you try this, be sure to let me know what you and~or your family think.

Exalting Christ, Award!

2009-07-19T13:00:00.004-05:00

Kim, this award sums up the whole of how I want to be remembered when my days this side of Glory are done. A verse that is so dear to my heart and one that I want used in reference to my life here on earth is, John 17:4.

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. NKJV

So, to be given this award means so much to me. Thank you! Big {{{HUG}}}.

Adding beauty onto gratefulness, you have given me a wonderful place to go and visit. The women that created this Exalting Christ Blog Award at Women to Women: Sharing Jesus, have made a true place of beauty on the web and in blogosphere. I have added them to my sidebar as I will be visiting them regularly.

Here are the Rules of this award:

Post the blog award in a regular post on your blog with the explanation, including the original link to WTW and the rules for passing the award along
Name five people (more or less is fine!) to whom you want to offer this award and link to their blogs. The blogs need to obviously exalt Christ in some manner.
Contact the bloggers you have named to let them know they can pick up their blog award from you.
Invite them to permanently display the WTW blog badge and/or the award on their blogs. The badge can be obtained on the WTW site.

Drum roll... with no further ado I list my choices.

1. Angie at Sonflower. This blog began as journal of devotions. In my opinion, Angie writes with warmth, compassion, openness and most of all the love of Jesus. She exalts Him in everything she writes.

2. Barbara at Ramblings From an English Garden.
Revelation 12:11 tells us that in defeating our enemy Jesus gave us His blood, and we exalt Jesus through our testimony*. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. NLT
*testimony: Proof, evidence, witness, proclamation of personal experience. The tabernacle, which evidences God's presence, is a testimony to the covenant between Him and His people. Strong's #3142

I realize that Barbara has been given this award previously. The task at hand here is to name five blogs I believe exalt Jesus Christ. I simply can not compile such a list without mentioning Barbara's blog. Please visit her blog and while you will enjoy her beautiful photo's and blog entries, I strongly recommend you go to her Subject Archive list, scroll down to "My Story" and begin reading her amazing testimony. There are 23 entries. Don't cheat yourself, take the time and go to the oldest entry #1 Introduction, and read up until you have finished. This took me several visits to her blog, but she exalts Jesus so beautifully in these candid posts about her life~ a life given to the leading of the Holy Spirit and of making Jesus Lord... not just Savior only. I am so encouraged when I read these that I have gone back and reviewed them from time to time. Barbara's blog in its entirety does also exalt, Jesus Christ.

3. Denise at Free to be Me, has a wonderful way of taking God's Word and sharing it with the blog world in such a personal and practical way. She writes economically and always has an encouraging word.

4. Melanie at The Fruits of the Spirit, though very deep an intellectual, has a passion that comes across very personal and edifying. Her love for and exaltation of Jesus Christ is not only woven through her enjoyable blog, it is who she is and represents her blog in its entirety. One my favorite entries is just here. Incidentally, the fruit of the Spirit is the subject matter the Lord laid on my heart to write a Bible study on that I mentioned earlier. So... I like her blog name, too. :-)

5. Pam at Without Fear. Pam, about herself says in her "Profile", "Daily I'm discovering the truth that "only perfect love casts out fear." Amen Pam! Faith and fear are diametrically opposed, light and dark. Light dispels darkness and her blog exalts Jesus Christ in such a way that encourages us to not fear, but to have faith in Him... whereby which we can receive His love and not live in fear. Oh, I have never posted the evilness of fear that I have had victory over. I should as it is an enormous part of my testimony ~ the crux of it actually. Keep posting Pam, we all need to hear of God's love for us through the completed work of the cross in Christ Jesus! Just a side note here, Pam enjoys reading, making cards, healthy eating and loves her family. Kindred spirits we are, I should imagine. Sisters in Christ definitely.

Blogs are listed in alphabetical order of the author's name as I would not want to try to list them subjectively. How could you?

Fete nationale le quatorze Juillet.

2009-07-16T22:00:00.001-05:00

Tarte Montmorency

Those of you that read my blog might remember that every 14 Juillet, July 14, I make something with cherries. I fell in love with French culture and cooking in 4th grade when I began taking French. The school system I went to from 4th to 10th grade began Foreign Language classes in 4th grade. They were not optional, everyone took them. The French teacher would come to the classroom several times a week for nearly an hour if I remember correctly. My teachers name was, Madame Pothier, pronounced po-tee-ay. Some of my classmates thought she was odd. By American standards she may have been. But to me, she was amazing and inspiring. I honestly think that teaching "facts" is not as important as teaching how to find "facts" on your own, or in other words how to be resourceful. Nor is teaching "facts" as important as inspiring a student to desire more. I understand the value in teaching "facts", particularly in the area of dates, treaties, math and science related subjects, grammar, geography and a few other nuts and bolts curriculum. But to instill a passion for something begets the students' desire to pursue and learn way past the boundaries and confines of a classroom, textbook and teachers knowledge and perhaps bias. That being the barometer for a good teacher, Madame Pothier was one of the best I had as I still read about France, its history, culture, food, art and well just about anything I can. She sowed that into my life. Thank you, Madame. I even like L'Oreal for a number of things. :-)

Typically, I make a full French meal on 14 Juillet, in honor of Bastille Day. I love holidays that commemorate freedom, and truly this one does just that. However, working full time and being mindful of what I eat just now, I will limit my French fare to something cherry. Two years ago, I posted a delicious Basque Cake. Last year, I posted a yummy Clafouis aux Cerises, which is a cherry cake but quite honestly it is more like a custard or pudding. We loved both of those. Today's contribution is a Tarte Montmorency, or Morello Cherry Tart. You will need to scroll down on that link to see the Tarte Montmorency recipe. There is some interesting reading on the way down though. Here is the recipe I used from the above web site.

Tarte Montmorency

1 unbaked pie shell
2 pounds cherries, pitted
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon Kirsch

Fit the pie shell to a 10 inch tart pan and prick the bottom several times with a fork.

Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the cherries. Cook for 5 - 6 minutes, shaking the pan from time to time. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and continue cooking the sauce thickens and caramelizes slightly. Remove from heat and pass through a sieve. (You won't need the cooking juices.)

Spread the cherries on top of the tart shell.

Beat the eggs with the other 1/4 cup of sugar and the flour. Stir in the milk and the Kirsch. Pour this mixture on top of the cherries. Bake at 400° F for 40 minutes.

Allow to cool completely and serve cold.

Makes 6 - 8 servings.
Recipe found on Easy French Food, at http://easy-french-food.com

Morello Cherry
Dark mahogany red cherries that provides juice for use in making brandies and liqueurs. Morello cherries, which are very sour tasting, are commonly used to produce preserves, canned cherries, cherries in syrup, or dried cherries. Definition provided by http://www.recipetips.com.

Bing cherries were the only fresh cherries available to me. This variety of cherry though like the Morello in that they are large, dark red and good for baking, are not sour but sweet. Next time I make this tart, I am going to use Oregon Fruit canned Morrello cherries so that I can taste this with the more tart cherry. And by way of a nice perk, they are already pitted. I just stocked my pantry with 4 cans of these cherries.

I have used the Oregon Fruit Product brand for years. The quality and quantity in every can I have used has been excellent.

Those of you that pitted cherries years ago by hand may remember little devices held in one hand that resembled the end of a syringe that you use your thumb to apply the pressure with. You place the cherry in a little spot between the thumb where the tack head like piece was and the fore and middle finger were, pushed and your pit popped out. Well, after serving me well for many years, I threw mine out some time ago as it had rusted. I had no idea it was going to be so difficult to replace that faithful little tool. This is the only cherry pitter I was able to find, and I found it at a local hardware store.I had no choice but to buy this one. I did not completely mind. After all, I figured the grandchildren would enjoy it, and it seemed to be efficient in that the juice and pits were going to drop in a case I could dump out when full. Seemed okay. Overall, it was better than cutting each and every cherry around its pit and then pull the pit away from the flesh. The Cherry Chomper is however no where as handy as it is portrayed to be, nor is it always successful at shooting the pit out. So as I said before, it is the canned cherries next time. This tart is good. The texture is wonderful and the flavor is too. But not worth the cherry hassle.

This is every ingredient needed for this Tarte. Yes, I am going to sloth by and use a store bought pie crust. Only however because of the time I am going to have to put into pitting that bowl of 2 pounds of cherries.

I always soak fresh fruits and vegetables in good squirt of Shaklee's Basic H and water before doing anything else to them.

Stems off first.

And now the pitting. I wear latex gloves any time I am handling cherries, blueberries, blackberries, any other dark staining fruit or jalapenos. As you can see here, the Cherry Chomper is not the gadget I thought it was suppose to be.

Pitting accomplished. I am going to need to find real cherry pitter. That Cherry Chomper would be okay if grandchildren were going to pit a handful or two of cherries, but that is about it.

Store bought crust turned out nicely into tart~quiche plate and cooked cherries placed into the unbaked crust.

Sugar, eggs, flour, milk and Kirsch beaten together and poured over cherries. Do not use cherry Brandy in place of the Kirsch. The Kirsch is actually Kirschwasser which in German simply means cherry water and is categorized as a brandy. This liquor however is made differently than traditional cherry brandy. It is not the syrupy sweet, overly flavored liquor that common brandy is.

Tarte done baking. Now to completely cool.

First slice out.

Ready for Jon and I to enjoy.

Like most everything else I bake anymore, after a day or so it is off to work with Jon. We just don't eat that much in the way of baked goods. I do love to bake them though so having Jon's office to share with makes it possible for me to enjoy baking, tasting a bit of the results and not over doing it. And they think they are getting the better deal here. :-)

The left over cooked cherry juice with butter will become a scrumptious thickened sauce to which I will add some almond flavor this upcoming weekend. Somebody around here is having a birthday and a sauce like that will be splendid drizzled on chocolate cake. Jon has wanted to try growing cherry trees. The flesh will be removed from the pits, they will be dried thoroughly, put in an airtight jar and refrigerated until January. They will then be planted in pots and the small (probably 8-10 inch) saplings will be transplanted in the yard in late spring. It will be three years at least before we see a cherry, but it will be fun to watch!

Card Cubby and a Card.. finally.

2009-07-07T08:42:00.021-05:00

While we were in our rent house for 11 months I believe I made only one card, and that was almost a full year ago. I simply did not have my stamps, ink, paper and tools accessible. I did manage in this down time recovering from surgery to get my stamps, ink, paper and tools organized and put away so as to be accessible. Yay!!

Seaside Sketches stamp set by Stampin' Up is one of my favorites. So... after placing everything away in its appointed cubby... I did not resist the temptation to throw a card together. Wow!!!! did it feel good to sit down and do that! The photo is not great being a little fuzzie and jaded with shadow... but here it is just the same. I will go back to work within the week, but now at least I can put a card together if I want to. Big hurdle cleared!

Greetings!

2009-07-06T12:13:00.010-05:00

I have been gone from posting on my blog far too long. There is much I want to write about, but I am going to condense so that I can just jump back in. If I were to set everything to writing in this post I suspect it would be too long and not make for enjoyable reading.

Jon and I looked for months for the neighborhood and house we wanted to make our home in. Needless to say, that endeavor was bathed in prayer. Of course I approached it much like I do everything else, methodically, with type A decisiveness, and with determination. I have to say though, we were listening to and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, and that is how our decision was made. We did after months of house hunting, with a wonderful couple that do real estate together, find the home we were looking for. We bought our home the first week of April, and moved in that next weekend. After living here in this neighborhood and home, it is clear to me that while we were diligent and persistent and did all we knew to do, it was in fact the Lord that brought this home and Jon and I together. We contemplated building a home, and our next and most likely last home we will build. But this was the home for us. The layout of the home suits our lifestyle perfectly. There are a number of just “small things” that are perfect in this home for Jon and I. The location is very comfortable as far as where each of us work. The setting is a wonderful neighborhood with the great neighbors on our lane. There are two large malls in Oklahoma City, and one of them is very close by with the other less than 20 minutes away. Anything you can imagine in the way of shopping, eating and recreation, and everything we need is so close by. Yet, if you go in the opposite direction of all the shopping, churches, eateries, recreation, etc., you are in beautiful spacious country.

I want to go into just a small bit of detail on one aspect of moving into this house as I suspect it will prove to be future blogging material. This aspect of living in this particular house, in this neighborhood, we could have had no way of knowing. This is where how good God is really shines through. Before half of the U~Haul truck was emptied, the lady cater~corner across the street brought over her version of a Black Forest Cake for us to enjoy. While dropping off the cake she gave us a printed list of nearly every family on the lane, complete with phone numbers and email addresses. The next day, the woman on one side of us came over with a hardy welcome wanting to make sure we knew if we ever needed anything to let her know and that she is home most of the time as she has a home business. Within two days we were visited yet again. This visitor from the lane wanted to give us information about events the neighbors do throughout the year. The ladies have a Spring High Tea. Summer brings a backyard neighborhood barbeque and little later in the Summer an ice cream social where everyone makes ice cream and gets together for a frozen yummy feast. Autumn brings a chili bake off and the holidays bring a Christmas party with a fun gift exchange. I may have missed something here as I am new, but you get the idea. Within the week of moving in, I was invited to the Spring High Tea where I would meet the ladies of ******** Lane, which I did. I must comment here on the authenticity of the High Tea. The woman that does this every year is very familiar with proper tea etiquette and displays it beautifully. What a treat and delicious blessing that was! I have made some good friendships with these women, two in particular. More on those later... I will be here for a while. Suffice it to say, Jon and I are very happy here!

I have some interesting things to post about, complete with photos, but I will do those in later posts so as to keep this catching up shorter. I will share this with you though. In the weeks following the initial move~in weekend, I had the long and laborious task of scrubbing everything, lining shelves and preparing the house so that I could just put things away... a huge task in itself even with my overly thorough organizing, packing and labeling. Working full time left only a few hours in the evenings and weekends. I worked at it for five weeks straight before I stopped to do anything else. I will of course be painting, making window dressings, shopping for bedroom and bathroom linens and pieces of furniture for different rooms, but short of that, the house is almost done. What I mean to say is that the garage has little left in it to put away. Gardening and yard work has been at a minimum. Some pruning and little planting has happened. As I redecorate I will take photos and share my progress. I am very excited to get about the business of making this blessing of a house, our home.

By late May, most work around the house had come to a stop, and by June 10th and since then work around the house has been at a standstill. I have debated sharing this next part for a number of reasons. But, now that the worst of it is over I am going to go ahead. By the time we moved in here I was already seeking medical advice for something I had struggled with since the beginning of 2004. And truth be told, discomfort had set in some years before that. After one week of packing and moving while not missing any work, then five weeks of cleaning and unpacking and not missing any work, the situation became too much to bare. On June 10th, the problem was fixed in surgery. I must tell you, I felt better the day after surgery in the hospital than I had for years, and definitely for the last six months. Day after tomorrow marks four weeks and I will go back to the doctor for my post~op appointment. I have been off work since surgery and expect to go back Thursday or possibly the following Monday. I am pondering the notion of blogging about the things I have discovered during this medical adventure. I am leaning toward doing so just to share information you may be interested in regarding all of this and, maybe getting valuable information I am sure some of, if not all or you ladies could share with me. We will leave that for another post though.

Please forgive me for not posting and being away for a while. I have tried to focus on recovery. They say the better you tend to recovery in the first month, the better your overall success will be. I have stayed up on all of your blogs. Actually, it has been in reading some of the things you have posted that has made my down time more enjoyable.

The other thing I will say here is that in this time of not being able to do much physically, I have spent time working on a Bible Study God laid on my heart quite some time ago. I am not done with it, and in fact it seemed the more I did the more I found to do. But, God has given me clear direction on where He wants me to go with this and that has been my biggest obstacle. It has been in spending quiet time before Him, and diligent time in His Word that the Holy Spirit has been able to get through to me and show me what I am to focus on. The busyness of working and trying to do all that is needed to be done day by day, week in and week out, prevented that. With the direction I have now, I will even be able to use the time on my breaks at work to work on this project. I am so very excited about what God is showing me.

It is good to be back blogging! It is good to be back and functioning physically! Life is just good... period.

‘nuff said for now.

Much love and......

Praise God for our freedom!

2009-07-04T11:29:00.010-05:00

Happy 4th of July!

Have a blessed Independence Day everyone! I do have several friends in England that I truly cherish. While this day marks the Independence we established from Britain, I honestly like to dwell more on the freedom we have in our dependence on God and completed work of His Son Jesus, at Calvary on the cross. So, in addition to our national freedom I would like to celebrate our freedom in Jesus today while I think of all of my friends and their precious walk with Him.

I could not close this without saying that my heart is also with all of our military men, women and families today. Thank you for all you do! Thank you Marty and Larry! Becky, my love and thoughts are with you today my friend.

Just a little post~script here. I will begin blogging Monday. I have been away and will fill you in then. I have kept up with all of your blogs and have enjoyed that. More Monday.

It is Saturday,

2009-03-28T13:34:00.010-05:00

it is snowing, and I have the second in the series of The Yada Yada Prayer Group, The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down to read. Not that I need Saturday, snow or a good read for this.... but let's....

pull together a few simple staple ingredients,

arrange them nicely into mini tarts,

pop them in the oven, bake then cool them,

and then......

it's Tea Time!

The Yada Yada Prayer Group

2009-03-28T10:34:00.000-05:00

My favorite classical composer is, Ludwig von Beethoven. Two hundred thirty one years ago today, between the ages of 6 and 8*, he gave his first public performance in Cologne, Germany.** I visited there in 2001. Absolutely lovely! Jon and I will visit there again I imagine when we next go to Europe. Oh Lord, let that be soon! :-) Incidentally, it was one hundred eighty two years ago on March 26, 1827, that this musical wonder passed away. Funny, I really did not start this post with all of that in mind, but there you have it. Beethoven's musical compositions have such emotional energy and movement to them that they cause a soul to soar and plummet, and all within the confines of two scores. They can be as an entire work completely soothing, or inspiring and moving. Why this mention of music and classical composing on a post that clearly indicates written literature, and quite contemporary at that? Because in my opinion, Neta Jackson, author of The Yada Yada Prayer Group, book series is the Beethoven equivalent in the contemporary fiction literature world. Each page has movement and yet some of it is soothing, truly a balm to the soul. Neta Jackson's composition of words and the realness of the story can make you laugh out loud, weep deeply, and cause one to take a more objective look at oneself. Thoughts like Ouch... I did not realize how short I fall of where I need to be, and Oh... I've come farther than I realized, are roused within oneself regularly.

The way the women in this book stumble onto becoming a group, and naming themselves The Yada Yada prayer group is quite like something the average group of women might happen onto. The back door way the simplicity of the name Yada Yada comes about gives complete glory to, God. When one of the members discovers Yada Yada actually has meaning and represents their desire as individuals and as a group, it is very clear that only the Holy Spirit could have inspired that. Here is an excerpt from this book that is part of a conversation the Yada Yada sisters are having.

"Yada: to perceive, understand, acquire knowledge, know, discern." And a whole lot more. Here's one I like: "To be known, make oneself known, to be familiar." And another: "To distinguish (yada) between right and wrong." If we add an "h" it gets even better. "Yadah: to speak out, to confess; to praise; to sing; to give thanks." Later says Yadah "essentially means to acknowledge... the nature and work of God." (Jackson 125)

I am amazed at how this novel weaves scriptural precepts into the fiber of the story. I have had several revelations about the whole of Who God is, a higher place for me to live spiritually and socially, and gained some courage to step out and trust God for the things he has for my life. My eyes have been opened to how some of the cliches and labels I grew up with that churches give even simple things like "quiet time" and "devotions", can set us up for what I call "churchianity" rather than God focused "Christianity".

You can take look at who Neta Jackson is and what she has written here. By scrolling down and looking on the right hand side of that web site, you can see what the Yada Yada books are about. By clicking here, you can go straight to that web site where it displays and discusses her Yada Yada books only.

* It is historically believed and accepted that Ludwig's father falsified his birth certificate to being 6 rather than eight, giving him the appearance of being more of a prodigal. Jeez.... like that was going to be necessary.
** I began this post the Thursday evening the 26th, and am only posting it just now, Saturday the 28th of March. Beethoven's first public performance was March 26, 1778.

Skor Cheesecake

2009-03-15T10:15:00.003-05:00

In my post about Chocolate Christmas Mice, I promised to tell you what it was that I did with the leftover Oreo chocolate cookie. The answer lies within this box.

A few weeks before Christmas, we drew names at work for exchanging Christmas gifts. I drew a gentleman named, Lonnie. Lonnie is the comedian at the office. For instance, last week he was going through our huge green recycle container. I came around the corner with a co~worker and there he was. He is a man of about 5'6" and full of ornery energy. He looked at us over what is essentially a huge plastic green trash can on wheels and without missing a beat simply said... looking us directly in the eyes and with a straight face, "Didn't get breakfast." Lonnie loves to eat. He loves to eat good food and sweets are at the top of his list. If there is one candy that could be deemed his favorite (and there are many) it could be the Skor bar as easily as any other decedent chocolate confection. So when I drew his name for the gift exchange, I knew just what to do. Go buy a dozen (or so) Skor bars!

Here is what I did with those Skor bars.

Butter Toffee Cheesecake with Ganache

Preheat oven to 350°

Crust:
1/2 cup real butter melted (one stick)
2-1/4 cup Oreo cookie crumbs
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Filling:
12 Skor Candy Bars (and one more for nibbling)
4 8 oz. blocks cream cheese softened to room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
5 large eggs
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Ganache:
1 cup heavy cream
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (you can substitute dark chocolate for one quarter of chocolate chips)

Set Cream Cheese out in large mixer bowl and allow to achieve room temperature and become soft.
Butter a 9” spring form pan with real butter.
Chop 12 Skor bars in two batches of six bars each and keep them separate.
Twist and separate Oreo cookies. Scrape white middle off. Make crumbs out of cookies. I roll them with a rolling pin in a sturdy Ziploc bag. You can see how having one side of an Oreo cookie left over from the Christmas Mice would be useful here, so make them a day or two before the cheesecake if you are making them.

Crust:

Melt butter.
Stir in Oreo crumbs and sugar.
Press into bottom and sides of buttered 9” spring form pan.
Evenly scatter one batch of the six chopped Skor bars onto crust

Filling:

Mix softened cream cheese in mixer until very smooth.
Mix in sugar first and until smooth, then mix eggs one at a time beating thoroughly.
Pour filling into crust.
Bake at 350° degrees for 40 minutes.
Turn oven down to 300° degrees and bake 30 minutes longer. This is a good time to rotate your cake around in the oven if your oven seems to bake hotter at one side or the other. Do not rotate at any other time.
Let sit and set in oven for one hour.
When cake is cool refrigerate over night, or at least 8 hours.

Finishing up:
Pop ring of spring form pan off. Leaving cake on the bottom of spring form pan, set cake on a piece of foil or your choice of waterproof device. In this next step you will be pouring your ganache topping over and you will be letting it run down the sides. It just doesn't get much better. :-)

Ganache:

Heat heavy cream in an heavy sauce pan.
Stir in chocolate on low heat until smooth, beating with a spoon to keep from scorching and to aid in chocolate melting.
Pour over cheesecake (should drip off sides) spreading out to get the coverage and look you want.
Top with 6 more chopped Skor Bars.... YAY!!!! Yumm.
Chill for one hour.
Now slide your cake onto whatever you will be serving it from.
Leave at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Lonnie is a giving man and shares everything. He has co~workers over during the summer for barbeque's... that sort of man. He had been awarded the Employee of the Year award at our Christmas lunch just two weeks prior to the day I gave him his cheesecake. So, I attached a note to his box saying that he had been such a good lad all year that he did not have to share with the other children. I think he did have a piece while at work, and I heard he gave a few sample bites (not slices), but the cake basically went home that evening, never to be seen again. I also heard he asked someone if they knew what bakery Teresa bought the cheesecake at. Lonnie likes good food. That felt nice.

Here is a little art work of the fun I had putting this Christmas gift together.

Chopping.....

the rest of the chopping.

Some assembly required.

Mixing.

Getting there.

The beauty of disposable foil.

The finished cheesecake. Box and wrap it quick to avoid further temptation. By this time I had already eaten a Skor bar and licked ganache like I did not know better.

Done! Put the box in the car for morning since it is too big for the refrigerator and it is plenty cold enough outside.

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

2009-03-14T06:57:00.003-05:00

I apologize for taking a while to get this announcement on here, I just did not want to post this until the winner and I successfully connected. I am happy to announce that Elizabeth at My Maine Cottage was the winner of Redeeming Love, written by Francine Rivers, that was offered in my Valentines Day Giveaway. Here is the what Elizabeth says about herself on her blog profile.

I live with my husband Jason and two Scottish Terriers Abby & Murdoch in a small commercial fishing village in Maine. I'm a real estate agent serving the greater Portland Maine area and in my free time I love spending time by the water boating, swimming & exploring. I'm interested in Cottage style decorating & craft projects as well.

My Maine Cottage is a blog full of beautiful Maine coast photos, lots of creative ideas and two beautiful Scotties. Be sure to take a look. You can visit by clicking the link above, clicking My Maine Cottage on my side bar.

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

Of Mice and Chocolate.

2009-03-02T18:34:00.003-06:00

One day, a while back at my office, we had an interesting event. The woman across the hall from me is going to be married in a few weeks. She is young and beautiful and always has a sachet about her unhurried walk, and an overall reserved gentleness about herself. She is quiet, friendly and always composed. Lovely young lady. And then the interesting event of that particular day happened. We had hit our late morning lull of quiet, bar the tapping of computer keys. Amazing that. Just prior to the mass lunch time exodus, we have the most delightful forty~five minutes of peace and quiet. It seems for about forty-five minutes before the lunch time exodus, everyone becomes focused and quite productive. I personally love it because the coffee clutching and cackling subsides for a precious three quarters of an hour. Peaceful. Peaceful and thought inspiring.

And then the interesting event of that day happened. Quiet... tap,tap,tapp tapp. Quiet ... tap rapid tap, tap, tap, tap. SCREAM!!! AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GO...okay she did not say gosh but anyway... OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! SOMETHING JUST RAN OVER MY FOOT!!!!!!!! EEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!! And may I just say the all caps here in no way truly capture the shrill and decibel level those words hit. Our demure young lady was beside herself! I personally would have been beside myself AND up on the desk.

All productivity comes to an anxious halt and people came bolting out of their office doors to see what could possibly be the matter. This reserved and quiet woman looked as if she might go into cardiac arrest with her red face and gasping mouth. She was shaky and it goes without saying beyond upset. A mouse had run across her foot! I had to agree with her.... what horror!

So the event gets even curiouser. As the rest of us began to assess where might be the best spot to place a mouse trap, we discovered the most interesting thing. Behind a somewhat large planter in the corner there were gold bits of foil crumbled in a semi neat pile of about an inch high and perhaps four inches in diameter. We immediately recognized these to be the gold foil wrapping of holiday Hershey kisses. We looked at the bowl on the far corner (diagonally on the other far side of her office) of her desk only to find three Hershey Kisses partially eaten, leaving suspiciously small teeth marks. Other than that the bowl was empty. This woman had been accusing her friend (and supervisor) that is down the hall and on a diet, of eating the missing Kisses. This woman had denied it all along. It was mice. Were they dropping them from the desk and scurrying over with them in tow to enjoy behind the planter? I had visions of Ratatouille going through my head. You remember? When they were foraging for food at Gusteau's restaurant. At any rate I was certain we were dealing with more than one mouse. I rather figured it was more like a little army of them.

Like this maybe.

I had been meaning to put these pictures on my blog at Christmas but never got around to it. Upon returning to my office, though wary of where I stepped, I had to chuckle to myself as I remembered these cute little treats I made at Christmas for my grand daughter's school Christmas party. Perhaps you noticed these precious little mice are made out of....... Hershey Kisses! :-) I saw these on Kim's blog a couple of years ago, just never had a reason to make them. They were a big hit at the school party. It is so easy to seem like such a great Nana. I love that. Anyway, the woman that had been accused of eating the Hershey's Kisses thought I might want to make these adorable little mice for our co~workers wedding reception, only alter the colors used. I thought it might be fun. The fussy bride to be however said I "should never make them again." Geez........

Here is how you can (and I) can make them using Hershey Kisses, sliced almonds Maraschino cherries, Oreo cookies, some icing gel and chocolate chips.

When I made them I ended up having only one mouse pad per cookie. In my next post I will show you where the extra chocolate Oreo cookie from each Oreo went.

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T09:05:00.003-06:00

John 3:16 says:

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God is love, and He shows that love by giving. So what better way to celebrate Valentines Day... the day we have set aside to show love... than to give? Okay, I will confess I got the idea to give this book away as a Valentine's post from My Hands... His Glory! . I have never done a giveaway but I thought she had a great idea and so here we go then. The book is titled, Redeeming Love and is authored by, Francine Rivers. A quote about the book is,

"A powerful retelling of the book of Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God's unconditional, redemptive, all consuming love."

If you would like to be in the drawing that will be on Saturday, February 22, simply leave a comment on this post. In your comment would you please mention a time in your life that you were given something and you could tell you were loved. Certainly feel free to mention anytime God blessed you! If you are not a blogger, you are still able to leave a comment, you will however also need to email me so I know how to reach you if your name is drawn. You can access my email by clicking the link under my profile at the top right corner of this blog. I am really looking forward to the comments you will write. Love is the one thing that never fails and I think reading about your experiences of it will be so uplifting.

Thank you for participating, and be sure to check back February 22, to see who this book will go to. I suppose you could remember that date by 2.22 2 win! :-)

I saw this yesterday and thought it was so perfect for this post.

For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."
John 3:16

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

A request for prayer for, Becky.

2009-02-06T07:07:00.004-06:00

In my last post I urged you to go to Becky's blog, Sweet Cottage Dreams and check into her giveaway. I now come to you with a much different request. Becky lost her older son Jordan, on Wednesday. This is quite a shock and broke my heart. Becky is well loved and so I am sure I really don't even need to request for prayer for her, her husband and other son. I know all of you will uphold her in prayer during this difficult time. Laura has put something about this on Becky's blog. I pray peace and comfort for this family.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope...
2 Thessalonians 2:16

Great "Lil' Giveaway"!

2009-02-01T17:12:00.005-06:00

Becky over at Sweet Cottage Dreams, is hosting a giveaway.

She is calling it a Lil' Giveaway. I think not. This giveaway is generously brimming with wonderfully handmade vintage style goodies. Please go and see for yourself. Be sure to leave a comment so you can be in the drawing on February 6. Go! Quickly.... click here!

Super Bowl Sunday.

2009-02-01T08:22:00.008-06:00

It is Super Bowl XLIII Sunday. I won't be watching my beloved Green Bay Packers, but after reading the following, I am quite interested in the game, particularly the Cardinals, and most specifically their quarterback.

This morning my husband sent me an email he received from a friend in, Indiana. Some of you have received this in an email I sent you earlier this morning. If so, skip the story if you would like and go to the bottom of this post as I am adding some things I found out after researching this gentleman a bit. For everyone else I will just say start at the top of this story and read through. I decided to email some because this story touched me so deeply. With a little research follow up, I decided to blog about this man because it has so deeply blessed me.

Email as follows:

THE STOCK BOY.

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call.

As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26 and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA.

He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.

That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair.

He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome. Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done.

Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl?

Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the hunt for a possible appearance in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person?

It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

He has also been the NLF's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.

AND THE REST OF THE STORY:

Today at church our minister mentioned that when Kurt, his wife and 7 children go out to eat, he has one of his children pick out a family eating at the restaurant. Kurt then tells the wait staff he is picking up the tab for that family's dinner anonymously.

He remembers the days he was working nights in the grocery store and feeding his family on food stamps.

Kind of makes it hard not to root for the Cardinals IN THE SUPER BOWL doesn't it?

END OF RECEIVED EMAIL

My little comment to that question.... Maybe Green Bay should not have cut him in training camp in 1994. :-(

After reading this I decided to take a stroll through cyber space and see what I could find out about, Kurt Warner. I highly suspected he was a born again believer. Wow! is he and is he ever. This not just a man that believes the Word and puts faith in it, he puts feet on it... his. To see a little about the amazing things this man has set himself about doing, please take a minute and visit his web site. This man and his wife Brenda, have a foundation that aids so many in need, it is their passion. That web site takes you through what they are doing and how they are doing it. I love the name he gave this foundation, First Things First.

Brenda and Kurt Warner

Since this post concentrates on the visible evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit and one mans yielding to that leading, I feel I need to say something about the flip side of that. There are plenty of people doing good things that are beneficial to others. However, it takes faith in Jesus and accepting Him as your Savior to be born again and headed for heaven. Good works are evidence that our faith is alive. Good works alone however are not evidence that a person is a Christian, that requires faith in, Jesus.
Accepting faith is what pleases God.

Kurts' focus is to... seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
That is so easy to spot in his life. I think this verse could easily be associated with his goals and his life. I could not help but think of this when I read about him.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Thank you Pat, for sending us this email. What a blessing.

Thank you! for the Thank You card.

2009-01-31T12:38:00.011-06:00

Well, it looks like I will be getting back to the store where I bought these frames.

Inside those frames I matted and framed two beautiful cards that Kim over at Nutbrown Cottage sent me. Her cards are amazing and I am not the only one that thinks so, she has been published more than once. Actually, it was through her card making that I met Kim. The card on the right with two girls walking through a sand dune is a card she sent just because we are friends. The card on the left was sent blank for me to do with or send to whomever I wanted. There's me being selfish... I wanted it, them, where I could be see them. You can read more about all of that here.

I now have received a simply gorgeous card from Kim. It is a Thank You card. Though the photo is good, it does not show off how truly beautiful this card is. The colors and textures are amazing. You can go here to read all about how she put this precious piece of art (and her work really is art) together. I enjoy her stamping blog along with many others. She shows great techniques and how to's with photo's of beautifully clever cards she makes. Kim has a website that is just packed with goodies beyond just stamping. She has a more complete display of cards there as well. This website is how I got started stamping myself, and where I met her. Nice little corner of the web it is!

Kim, I just had a particularly hectic and somewhat stressful week. This card was balm to the wounds and came just at the right moment. Thank you. It is just beautiful. And, it will be framed as soon as I go get the frame. {{{hugs}} almost a full right side squeeze eh?

Today...

2009-01-19T11:53:00.011-06:00

Although my heart and prayers are ongoing for the troops and their families that are still and yet to be deployed, today I remove the yellow ribbon from my blog that has been there since Marty left. I thought I would just take it off and that would be that, but I took a yellow ribbon off of a tree in front of my mother's home years ago when my brother came back from the Persian Gulf War, and this is so much like that was. I am amazed at the emotion this little task has wrought out of me.

Did I mention how grateful I am to a faithful Father for his care? Have I thanked each of you that prayed? Yes, and yes I know.... but it warranted repeating. I am grateful for Marty's protection and every last prayer.

Kim, I actually wrote this post earlier today, but it is just now I am taking the ribbon off.

Welcome Home!!! Marty!

Marty...

2009-01-17T22:25:00.007-06:00

IS HOME!!!

His feet are on Texas soil and he is with Tara, and their three beautiful children! I know the Bible says, This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. But somehow today that hardly touches where our family is at. Rejoice?? Oh yeah! Praise God for His faithfulness? Oh yeah! Be thankful and glad beyond measure? Oh yeah! Thank you Father for taking care of Marty and his family while he was away honoring an oath he took to defend this country. Thank you for my family.

And I want to thank each of you, Kim especially for your faithfulness in prayer to keep Marty and his family safe and whole, body, mind and spirit.

I just have to say it again......

MARTY IS HOME!!!!!!

Father, we trust you to keep the soldiers that are still deployed safe, and their families in Your care.

And now, it is time for me to get an all is well peaceful night's sleep.

Good night.

Day 434.., but who's counting?

2009-01-16T20:17:00.063-06:00

I am sure most of you will remember this photo. I posted it last February 6. On 2.6 my son-in-law turned 26. I wanted to wish him a happy birthday. At the time he was in, Iraq. He had deployed in November for a 15 month deployment. This was his second time deployed there.

Below is a series of photos and a little that I had had written to go with the photos in January of last year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
These are photos taken the day Marty's, unit was deploying.

I know children are to such an amazing degree resilient. I also know that Tara, is a wonderful mother, and these children are being handled, nurtured and reassured, very well. I am sure however that you would understand why I am sobbing, and why my heart is so desperately broken. Marty is a good father and these children need him. They will survive this as well as any will because of how Marty, and Tara. have handled all of this. But, I just want that family in tact and back to normal Those children need him, so does, Tara. Posted January 28, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now I would like to jump forward a few months to June of last year. Moving to Oklahoma in May of last year had a few perks. One of my favorites was that I was living close to my daughter Melissa and her family, and that Tara was just a few hours away in, Texas. After being here for three weeks, Tara and her children came to visit for three weeks. What a treat that was. I want to share a few photos from that time. I have so many wonderful pictures, but I will limit myself here.

There was so much packed into that three weeks, much of which won't even show up here. There were:
Silly times:

Sweet times:

Study times:
And this friends is one of the deep secrets to getting those A's. And this momma does!

Times of I thought this was a vacation:

I think I will just stay right here and keep myself out of trouble, thank you very much.

Vacation Bible School week: It was yellow day this day.

The girl in brown pedal pushers and the one in the middle with red hair are Melissa's girls.

Water park day:

Family picnic on the 4th of July:
I honestly think Melissa's husband, Uncle Larry, had at least as much fun as the kids.

Wow!! does she look like her daddy! I'm guessing Marty will like this picture. :-)

aaawww

Life is good.

A beautiful surprise for Tara from Marty...all the way from, Iraq!

We had a lot of fun in those three weeks. Life is good, and Tara continued to do just as I knew she would. She handled and nurtured and reassured the kids so well that you could almost be fooled into thinking all was well on the planet. And in many ways it was. But there was a hole in everything we did, and everywhere we went. Though absent, it was the heaviest thing in the air and weighed so heavily on my heart. Marty is no wallflower, and is very involved where ever he is. He's the guy that keeps it all going, and going well. And so, though we had plenty of good times, there were some times that broke my heart to the point of hardly being able to stand it. I will always cherish these three weeks and hope we have many more times like this, but there were some things you only get to see when someone in your family is deployed to war, and that I really never care to see again. I enjoy the internet, but never was I so thankful for it as I was at the times you will see in a few of the photos of below.

Once a week was letter writing and sending daddy goodies... beef jerky, snacks, personal items, drawings the kids had done. This particular time root beer floats were involved.

Oh my goodness was I ever impressed with how well this full grown woman I used to rock and marvel at how she cooed, crawled and just smiled back at me, handled all of this!

Anytime there daddy could get online, he would and he would call Tara and she would set up the video chat and they could all visit. Tara and the kids could see and here him, and often what struck me to tears, he could see all of them. It was bad enough that Tara and the kids all missed Marty so much, but when I would think of how at least they had each other and family and that Marty was over there, head of his home and yet unable to be with any of them, and with no family around.......... like now typing, at those times I could hardly breathe. And tears were abundant.

They loved singing a new song they learned in Vacation Bible School to, Marty. The blender is there to support the camera.

Soon, blenders and video chats will not be necessary.

Marty is due home in Texas, to stay, tomorrow morning. I will be posting tomorrow!!

I really want to thank all of you that have kept Marty safe in prayer. Kim, barring any delay, the yellow ribbons come off tomorrow girl!!

Too busy no more.

2009-01-16T03:30:00.006-06:00

I have received comments from Barbara hoping I have not stopped blogging. Thank you for asking. And, I am excited about you upcoming posts about France. Barbara, I have not stopped blogging, but it certainly does look as though I have since I have not posted anything since October, 26. I have been working full time, trying to keep this house going (cooking, cleaning, laundry, bill paying.........etc.) while spending weekends house hunting. Not to mention the commute, big ugh here. There has been so much demand on my time that even my time alone with the Lord has suffered. It's like Kim said, "If you haven't got time for God you're too busy." She is right. I am not going to just make time for blogging and spending time with God, I am going to make some overall changes. I will post those as I do. Although there will be some serious time spent moving soon as we did finally find and buy a home here, at least the time demand of hunting is over and all of this Oklahoma move will settle within the next month or so.

Speaking of Kim, she has been gently nudging me to "Blog something!" This is my blog something and I plan to keep up. I like to blog and I was actually becoming a little resentful that working was stealing the time from I need to do those things I enjoy. Sewing, baking, card making and keeping up with friendships and staying connected to God and in His Word among the most important.

Which brings me to my last little point for this post. Though I like change when it is good, I don't change things much unless there is very good reason to. This is typically because when I decide on something it is really... really... thought out. I need to be more spontaneous, I know. But, I have never been completely happy with the look of my blog. I have been very happy with the photo in the header which Kim took herself, but not the border. I use to look for something soft, pink and with a little monochromatic scrolly type background. I never could find it. Well just like the photo in my header, Kim knew exactly what I was looking for and I never told her I was even looking. Jeez... imagine the plight of her children. :-) She sent me the new border for the template of my blog and I just could not be happier with it! Thanks, Kim.

I have much to blog, and will be getting on it. In fact I plan to blog tonight a few things I am particularly excited about. Baxter wanted out and I happen to be up just now and thought I would get this quick post in. Being 3:50 in the morning, I am going back to bed.

Until this evening......................

Simple, scrumptious and satisfying Sunday breakfast.

2008-10-26T10:58:00.013-05:00

I had contemplated muffins and scones, maybe even sausage gravy and buttermilk biscuits this morning, but pancakes won out. I picked this Krusteaz Wheat & Honey pancake mix up yesterday at Super Target. Good groceries are slim pickens around here, but if I travel just a few miles the shopping gets better... MUCH better. I discovered some really good grocery shopping yesterday, finally. I spotted this and in the cart it went. It looked good enough to forgo scratch, and Krusteaz is really a good choice if you do buy boxed. So.......we start with this. Mix 2 cups of mix and 1 1/2 cups of water. Let it sit while you....

chop up a few handful of these. (yes I know they are chopped, I just did them up a bit more)
Put the walnuts on the griddle for about 5 minutes to toast them. Stir them about a few times. Once toasted, throw them in the batter.

While the walnuts are toasting, put about 3/4 ~ 1 cup of these
in a cup and cover them well with water. Pop them in the microwave and plump them. To do this just cook them on high for about two minutes. Drain and stir in batter.

Bake them on your griddle @ 350°.

Real butter, real Vermont maple syrup.......... and there you have it, a simple and very satisfying Sunday breakfast. I served Millstone Hazelnut coffee. Scrumptious!

Next time I reach for this wonderful mix I think pumpkin puree, pecans and currants will be involved. :-)

The mix is primarily whole wheat flour, there is some soy flour, and wheat bran. Add the omega goodness of the walnuts, and the concentrated flavonoid and bacteria blocking properties along with the antioxidant capacities of the cranberry.... well you have a really tasty, crunchy and chewy fiber filled, nutritious reason to have some butter and syrup.

Oh, the real maple syrup has significant amounts of manganese and is a good source of zinc. It is also packed with a concentration of minerals.

So, scrumptious and sweet that you can fell good about.

I'd love to hear what you think if you whip these up.

Sorry about the imported photo's and no finished result photo. I have to find a way to blog properly with my schedule. I'll get it all sorted.

Scottish Terrier cake!

2008-10-09T23:24:00.003-05:00

I don't suppose you would be particularly interested in making this cake unless you have a Scottie, or someone dear to you has one or loves the breed, and you wanted to do something special for them. But for those of you that may have occasion to whip up a Scottish Terrier cake, this post is for you. This cake is so easy to make and the results far surpass the effort and, it makes for just some plain old fashioned fun. Alright then, lets get at it.

You will need a serving device at least 18 inches wide and 14 inches in height. I used an old cutting board my dad made. I covered it with foil and then parchment paper. I would steer clear of regular cardboard or the pre~cut cardboard cake servers as this cake is wide and heavy.

Now you will need to choose a cake you want to use. I made this one a white cake. Jon and I like white cake. Whether you make yours from scratch or a box, the average cake recipe or one boxed mix is what you need. Prepare your batter and bake it in two separate 8 X 8 inch cake tins. Let them cool and turn them out one at a time. You can use any frosting you like as long as it has the consistency to spread thick and hold it's shape.

And here is where we take cake into the shape of a Scottie. These are your first cuts. The cut that is vertical in this picture is 2 inches. The cut that is horizontal is 4 inches. The little obtuse triangle is to be set to the side. That is your Scottie's tail. The 4 inch by 2 inch is well..... fodder for the baker. Go ahead and taste test before you serve. :-)

Frost your larger piece making sure to get ample coverage, and get the sides done well as you won't want to mess the surface of your serving device up later.

Lift and transport to whatever you will be serving the cake on.

Now let's cut the second cake. Again make a vertical cut right at the 4 inch mark that is 2 inches in length. Then make a 4 inch horizontal cut leaving a 2" by 4" piece. Share that piece with whomever you wish, it is not going to be used either. Now, one more cut. Slice off a triangle right there in the center. Your Scottie will need ears, this piece will be just that, the ears.

Time to frost again making sure you cover the sides well. This will be the front wither, chest and legs.

Transport just as you did the the other piece. Line two pieces up as exactly as you can where the back comes together.

Here are your head, ears and tail. Frost the large piece which is the head. Again, get good coverage on the sides.

Notice the large licorice drop in the background on the right. Also notice the kettle is plugged in keeping a good supply of hot water going.

Transport your head piece just as you have the others. See the 4 cup measuring cup? That is where my hot water is. I use it to dip my frosting spatula in to slick the frosting down and cause it to be smooth and glossy. We are getting there!

Frost the tail and ear piece just as you have the larger pieces, then put them just where you want them. Notice the smooth and glossy frosting. We have boiling hot water and a metal spatula to thank for that.

Now we put a nose on, an eye on, and dress up our Scottie's furnishings. The nose is that large licorice drop cut in half from top to bottom. The eye is a drop of white buttercream frosting I always have in the refrigerator with the top of one of those large licorice drops sliced from side to side, set in. I used a #233 Wilton tip for this Scottie's furnishings. This tip is typically used to make grass, or the fur on say Elmo, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch. Clicking on the picture will give you much better detail.

Wouldn't be a Scottie with out a tartan collar. The dark blue and dark green is my favorite. That is the Black Watch modern tartan. Although there a New York City blue and green tartan that was designed in 2003, I believe. Not sure of the whole story of origin there, but it is much like the Black Watch modern. I like the dark blue and dark green tartans that sport no yellow, red, white or pinks. Let's move on.

And there you have it!

Time to enjoy Baxter, family and cake!

If you make this cake please let me know. I would love to put pictures of your wonderful cakes on my blog.

Here's a little diagram to use if you ponder the idea of whipping this cake up.

As always........

Thank you, Miss Jean!

2008-10-06T23:43:00.004-05:00

Apparently, Miss Jean passed this award to a few dog lovers on September 12. I have been so occupied with full time work, and still running a home and trying to have a life of some sort that I missed this until now. I was just tickled to get this.

Miss Jean, says I always have a kind word in the gracing me with this award. That really touched me. I believe my blog byline to be true, "Kind words are like honey ~ sweet to the soul and healthy to the body." Proverbs 16:24 I would like to think I practice that, and it so blessed me when she said I did. Thank you, Miss Jean.

As far as the dog lover award itself. Yes, I do love dogs, but it might not be fair to judge that by how much I love Sir Baxter, he is the best little dog, so faithful, playful and just a great and fun little guy to have around. Not too hard to love that... not to hard to love a Scottie in general!

Tomorrow, I will finally get the how to steps up for the Scottish Terrier cake. Until then... and as always....

Happy Birthday, Melissa!

2008-10-01T19:47:00.006-05:00

Two weeks to the day after her anniversary, my daughter Melissa, celebrates her birthday. Well..... this year since I live close to her now I offered to do her birthday cake. I asked her what she would like, I'd do whatever she wanted. Her only wishes were that it be black and white with hot pink. Shortly after that, she made a comment about liking zebra stripes on things like clothing and other things. I had already decided to make the cake look like a gift, and now I knew just what to make the wrapping paper and bow look like. Here was the finished product.

Melissa, is grateful for things done for her, but she has very specific tastes. It is not always easy to please her. She gasped, basically teared up, and verbally expressed delight about her zebra striped cake. I was little nervous about the prospect of ruining her 30th birthday with a cake she did not like. I was so surprised and pleased when she hugged me and said she did not really want to cut into the cake. Mission accomplished! Happy girl, happy cake....... Happy Birthday, Melissa!

Oh, they just had the anniversary cake two weeks prior. She is a little relieved to not have any big celebrations for a month. I will post later on that celebration.

Wow it is good to spend a little time blogging again. Thanks for your comments Pam, Kim, Mary and Carrie. It may be something I really have to schedule to get it done, but I love the blogosphere and you girls I've gotten to know through it. It is worth the scheduling.

Here I am & what a cute little tests says I am.

2008-09-30T20:09:00.002-05:00

I have quite a bit of good stuff to blog about, but I am now working full time in a position that is really wonderful. I am a coordinator in a Development department for an international non~profit organization. Truthfully, it is just a really great ministry on an international scale that aids in so many wonderful ways to people in really serious need. It is the first position I have ever held that I felt like I honestly did something worth while at the end of the day. And, though a non~profit organization/ministry, the best pay I have ever received. God is good! I never applied for the job. The Human Resource Director recruited me. God is sssooo good!

Anyway, though strapped for time now, I have been reading all of those blogs I love, even more so than my own personal email. I am going to try to get some blogging in this week and week end. I have some things I really want to share with my blogging buddies.

This is a little quiz Kim, had on her blog and I could not resist. Try it, it's short and fun.

You Are Spaghetti Marinara

Compared to most people, you are sophisticated, subtle, and classy.

You are concerned with quality in all aspects of your life.

You rather have a few high quality friends than many acquaintances.

And you always prefer to have a meal with simple, high quality ingredients.

What Pasta Dish Are You?

Up close and personal, beats the media everytime!

2008-09-05T21:49:00.006-05:00

I have been so busy lately, and though I won't promise to, it is my hope to sit down tomorrow and get a few things on this little corner of the cyber world that I call mine. However, I did read something on a friends blog just now that I thought warranted being posted here. Pam works here in Oklahoma City, at the Capitol. Please go and read what she has to say in her post, When McCain breezed through here.

A Cupcake of Coffee.

2008-08-18T14:38:00.013-05:00

Recently, I began posting with a network of women that post every Saturday, under the heading of Then Sings My Soul Saturday. I love being a part of this. I really enjoy reading what the other women have to say, and I love having a place to reflect and report a song that ministered to me that week. This weekend a few things got in the way and I did not post mine. I felt badly enough about it that I almost did that entry today instead of this. But, I am going to save it for next, Saturday. I mention that here because some of the what I will say here will in part be repeated to a degree next, Saturday.

This past week, a dear blogging friend of mine sent me some of the Mrs. Meyer's dryer sheets, and Lavender Window Cleaner she had mentioned on her blog. By the way, until August 24th, all orders over $50 will have no shipping charges if you are interested in trying any of her products. I am very happy with them, and plan to use some of these products regularly. It has been a long time since I really enjoyed cleaning my home.

I began blogging because of this blogging lady. Kim, has an enjoyable web site and personal blog. She also has a blog for her cards. She is an amazing stamper. Her cards have been published in national stamping magazines. I really enjoy just looking at them. Well, in that package of Mrs. Meyer's products, she sent me two of her handmade cards. One card was sent to me, for me. The other card was left blank to use as I wanted. The card sent to me had the sentiment "Friends" on it. This was the first card she made using a new toy she bought. The other card was the first card she stamped after a short time off from stamping. She asked me to choose a stamp set and that would get her started. I love the set "Sweet Herbs" and she had made a beautiful card with it some time before.

When I received those two cards, I knew immediately I would frame them. She is a dear lady and friend and those cards mean something to me. I have changed over the years. I no longer decorate my house to "look" good, I fill it with those things that I have sentimental attachment to, things I love, things that make a house, my home. One of my spare bedrooms is what my family refers to as, The Pink Room. And it is. There are pink candles, a pink quilt, a Victorian chair with tapestry cover that has pink roses that belonged to my dear neighbor Joyce, the footstool that was my mother's that I recovered in pink floral tapestry. You get the idea. There are several other things in that room that are so special to me. One of those things is a my parents first bedroom suit. It is now 51 years old. Another precious thing in that room is a the Morse sewing machine that has been around since before my time, was my mother's, and I learned to sew on it. The machine is in it's original cabinet and the accessories box is still on the door. On top of that cabinet is pink potpourri that rests in a lead crystal bowl. That was one of the two pieces of crystal I gave my mother when she retired from 33 years of working for the federal government. And now... that bowl is joined by two precious framed cards.

Kim's blog is called, Coffee in the Morning, and it used to be, Coffee and a Muffin. While framing those cards, I got to thinking about "Coffee"... go figure. That was when I came up with the idea to experiment a little with coffee and cake. The result was some Coffee and Cream cupcakes. A Cupcake of Coffee, really. :~) I will not attempt false humility here, they taste GREAT! I am very happy with them and so are those that have taste tested them for me. Since these Cupcakes of Coffee were inspired by Kim, when we are able to get together in Texas, hopefully sometime soon, I will make a batch for her and her family, and whisk (no pun intended) them down to her.

Pull up chair and have a Cupcake of Coffee with me!

Happy Anniversary!

2008-08-15T10:16:00.014-05:00

Today, one of my daughters' and her husband are celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary. So I thought a cake might be nice. Shocker, huh? Her favorite color was always pink growing up. Alas, she has left the pretty world of pink, and as an adult become a citizen of the lovely world of lavender. So, five roses small to large, graduating in size to represent the growing in their relationship over those five years, and of course in lovely lavender. She has always loved those fun sprinkles. I sprinkled those little colored things on her Coco Wheats while she was growing up. Actually, I sprinkled color on just about everything for her. Now though she still loves the whimsy of sprinkled color, she loves the sparkle of the crystal sprinkles (and diamonds... how they do grow up). You will see just those very crystal sprinkles on those five roses. May their marriage always have crystal communication, sparkle in romance, colorful fun adventure every step of the way, and continue to grow in every beautiful way!

I love you Melissa and Larry! Congratulations, on five years of marriage!

And as always...

Spreading some sugary sunshine.

2008-08-12T10:50:00.001-05:00

In my neck of the woods, children went back to school today. Among them was my granddaughter. So, not having the blessing of living near a grandchild in the past, I took full advantage of the situation and made a few cupcakes to take into the school office. My granddaughter came over to the house last night to choose the cupcakes she wanted to go into the box for the secretaries. This morning with treat box in hand, I got to go with her, my daughter, her dad and younger sister to be dropped off at school. That may not sound so special to some of you, especially if maybe you have lived near grand children all along, but it was precious to me.

My granddaughter was so impressed with the cupcakes, and so excited to get them to the school that I thought I would share a few photos with you.

The first two photos are the cupcakes as my granddaughter found them when she came over. Photos will enlarge if clicked.

This next photo is of the cupcakes she chose to put in the box to take to the school.

When the office staff bites into these little treats, they will find a big burst of unexpected flavor. Each cupcake is filled with a cooked filling I make. The cupcakes are lemon, the frosting is a vanilla buttercream, and they are each filled with either a fresh lemon curd, or strawberry cream.
What fun!

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays: Blessed Assurance

2008-08-09T18:52:00.005-05:00

...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22~23

Today's post for Then Sings My Soul Saturdays, will be short. I am thankful to be able to report that this week has been pleasantly uneventful. That being the case, I have not had one song that has been on my heart all that much more than any other. There is one though that has maybe run through my mind, and that I have sung just a little more than the rest I suppose. As I was walking earlier this morning, I was praying for one of my daughter's and her husband. Blessed Assurance ran through my mind quite a bit during that time, and I broke out singing it right there on the track. Decision made. Blessed Assurance, would be the song for this week.

I honestly wondered how long it be before one of Fanny Crosby's, precious hymns would make my Saturday, post. Fanny Crosby, was mistakenly given wrong medical treatment when an infant and as a result was blind for life. Nevertheless, she lived to be 95, and wrote over 8,000 songs based on scripture~ gospel hymns. She had an evangelical heart. Her focus was not on the amount of faith one had, but that of the object of their faith which must be Jesus Christ, and Jesus, only. The lyrics to the beautiful hymns she wrote were based on her absolute confidence in Jesus. Her confidence was not based on how she felt, but on how she knew the Bible to be infallible, absolute truth. Her assurance was based on the faithfulness of God, His Word, and His love.

I am believing for something very important in the life of my daughter and son~in~law right now. A big decision is being made this week between them. This decision has far reaching consequence, or reward. I am bringing every scripture I know out that pertains to this situation, receiving each promise that pertains to this situation, and asking God for His Will (Word) to be actualized in their lives and believing I (they) receive it. Like Fanny Crosby, I have such a blessed assurance, because I also know her Savior Jesus, and put my confidence in Him. The last verse of this precious hymn is what bore deeply into my soul as I sang; Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Thank you Jesus, for such a blessed hope.

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Refrain.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain.

Blessed Assurance
Public Domain, 1873
Francis J. Crosby, 1820~1915
Phoebe P. Knapp, 1839~1908

Red Pepper Vinaigrette

2008-08-07T11:22:00.001-05:00

The day before yesterday, I decided to finish up the leftover Angel Hair pasta that was in the refrigerator. I was going to get enough healthy fat for the day from the walnuts at breakfast, the salmon at dinner and some cheese I would be having on the pasta. So, I really did not want to drizzle olive oil over the pasta. I decided to use up the last of the Newman's Own Lighten Up Italian Dressing. The bottle you see in the picture below is that emptied bottle, and is the 8 ounce size. Then, the next day I am wanting to have a nice big ol' spinach based salad. Oops... dressing??? I receive Dr. Andrew Weil's, Daily Tips and Weekly Bulletin's, in my email. I remembered seeing in one of the Weekly Bulletin's, a recipe for salad vinaigrette that I wanted to give a go some time. Seemed like just the time to do that. I had all of the necessary ingredients on hand, and went at it. The recipe below filled my empty bottle up perfectly, as you will see. Result... a very delicious way to accent your salad. This vinaigrette is so flavorful and satisfying. You know, I have known this for some time, and I am sure this will be redundant for you, but I must say how amazed and delighted I am to keep discovering how satisfied I am, how much more energy I have, and how much clearer my thinking is when I eat those foods that are healthy, and prepared the way they should be for my body to receive optimum benefit from them.

This vinaigrette has no fat in it, the ingredients are basically the staples of one's kitchen, it's a snap to make, it is very economical and so full of flavor that I have just switched from store bought, ready made dressings and vinaigrette's to this one. If you try it, please let me know what you think.

Now then, just for a side note, I wanted to mention the type of pasta I use. Barilla PLUS Pasta is the only pasta we now use. I left the white flour pasta world a long time ago. I have to admit though, I was never crazy about the whole wheat versions. Barilla PLUS tastes even better than I ever thought the white pasta did, and it is loaded with protein, fiber and Omega~3's. Yummy.... and again, satisfying.

Red Pepper Vinaigrette
Dr. Andrew Weil

Ingredients:

1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried whole oregano
Pinches of rosemary and thyme (Big pinches as I love these flavors.)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 of a roasted red bell pepper (I did use bottled roasted red peppers.)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix thoroughly. Simple huh?? :-)

From Cheese Curds, to Cheese Cake.

2008-08-07T09:24:00.003-05:00

Yesterday morning, Brett Favre left the Lambeau field for the last time as a Packer, because last night Green Bay traded him to the New York Jets. I am not crying, but if I let myself go a just a little I'd be looking for every stinkin' box of facial tissue in the house. Well, I am and always will be a Packer's fan, and I will be wearing my green and gold attire throughout the season, but... I may be wearing it watching some Jets football games. My head is with Green Bay, me wittle heart is with what will always be #4 to me, Brett. So, if you think you would like to read about this, here is an article you can read. What this article lacks in happy news, it certainly made up for in photos. I have more to post today, and this is not one of my favorite posts, so...............

Salmon: it's what's for dinner.

2008-08-06T08:58:00.001-05:00

Last night for dinner we had:

Honey~Soy Broiled Salmon
Toasted Almonds in Rice Pilaf
Fresh Green Beans

The salmon was really good. I was surprised at how much flavor the marinade offered. And, it is so quick and easy to make. Not to mention everything from the salmon to sesame seeds are items I usually have on hand. It was so good, I thought I would share the recipe with you. I did not realize how good it was going to be, so I did not plan to post about it, and so it was eaten before I snapped a photo. Sorry. Having told you all of that, I will now share with you a little something my husband, (my burger, hot dog, pizza, processed and~or fast food loving husband), emailed me this morning.

This is the comic my husband sent me this morning.

No matter, it was healthy, delicious and satisfying. So, I pass the recipe sans photo along to you.

Honey-Soy Sauce Broiled Salmon

Ingredients:
1 scallion, minced (I call them spring onions, you may call them green onions)
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 pound salmon fillet cut into 4 portions
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (see Tip)

Instructions:
1. Whisk scallion, soy sauce, vinegar, honey and ginger in a medium bowl until the honey is dissolved. Place salmon in a zip lock style plastic bag, add 3 (I used 5) tablespoons of the sauce, seal bag and refrigerate; let marinate for 15 minutes (I marinated for an hour). Reserve the remaining sauce.
2. Preheat broiler. Line a small baking pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Transfer the salmon to the pan, skinned-side down. (Discard the marinade.) Broil the salmon 4 to 6 inches from the heat source until cooked through, 6 to 10 minutes(I turned salmon over and broiled for another 3 minutes on the opposite side to caramelize the honey a bit). Drizzle with the reserved sauce and garnish with sesame seeds.

TIP: To toast seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

My adaptation of a the recipe from EATINGWELL: The Magazine of Food & Health
Copyright 2005 Eating Well, Inc.

Guess who is 3?

2008-08-05T13:14:00.007-05:00

As always, click on pictures you want to enlarge.

Yes, this granddaughter turned 3 years old earlier this summer. We went to see Junie B. Jones, and get our all of our Junie B. Jones, books signed~stamped by Junie herself for this beautiful little girls' 3rd birthday. But this birthday party is because...

Baxter, is three!

Okay, I am not nuts, or obsessive with the dog. I am an empty nester that likes to make cakes and celebrate birthdays! Okay?? Okay. Let us move on, shall we? Oh incidentally, there is a lovely lady that has a beautiful blog over at Sweet Cottage Dreams. She has a post that involves her Scottie Duhgall's birthday, where she had a bagpipe player play for an hour. Click here to check that out. You may have to scroll up once you get there. Hummm.. wonder if he would stop by next summer for Baxter's 4th birthday?

Now let's move on. I have decorated cakes in the traditional flowery way. I have drawn Pooh Bear, Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake and many other character's and scenes on cakes. I have even carved cakes to resemble trains, airplanes and other objects. But, I had never carved and decorated a Scottie cake. So I thought Baxter's 3rd birthday just might be the time to give it a go.
I used dark fudge frosting because the black is bitter. This week however, I did learn two tricks of the trade on how to make the black and not have it be bitter. So now, I can use black for more than just filling in small areas. There will be next year. :~)

My granddaughters thought the cake was really great. I love their faces here!

This was Baxter's 2nd birthday. My daughter and her girls were visiting, and they brought their Westie, Sassy to celebrate. No they did not come across 31/2 states just for Baxter's birthday, that was just a perk.

Umm... mom did not make that cake but it was good.

This was Baxter's first birthday cake. What fun!

We had a backyard BBQ complete with lots of friends and family. Good times!

The next few pictures are just a few I chose to put on here because... well because it is my blog, my dog, it is about him, and I wanted to share them with you.
Taking an award at at a Scottish Terrier fund raiser picnic, for being obedient and showing well. Baxter, was a little over one. Baxter is not a rescue, but I have considered rescuing a Scottie. I'd certainly like to have another one.

Happy times!

Proud times!

Baxter, also took first in the Patriot costume category. His costume tied for first in overall good costume. Yep! I made that one. If you go to find the pattern, forget it. I had to make the pattern for Sherlock's cloak and hat.
More good times!

Probably, I enjoy our time grooming better than Baxter, does. But it is a good time of bonding. I originally took these photos to do a little tutorial on grooming Scotties, since Kim requested it. When I told her I would do that, I did not realize having Jon, in the room to take the photos would distract Baxter, so much. It was hard to for him to focus, he just wanted to play with, Jon. So, Jon could not stay and I could not really get a decent tutorial off. Kim, I hope these will do.

De~mat.

Rake.

Clip.

and snip.

I have no intention of giving any one of these up, especially this nice new shiny one I got today!!!

Long day. Great day, but long. Somebody is pooped!

Happy Birthday, Baxter!!!

Favre, "4" on the 4th.

2008-08-04T00:44:00.003-05:00

It's official! Green Bay Packers number 4 Brett Favre, today August 4th, is back on the field. His brief retirement over, he will be playing for the Packers this season. I'd love to be at Lambeau Field today at noon to watch Commissioner Goodell, reinstate Brett Favre to the Green Bay Packers' active roster. He could be on the practice field as early as, Tuesday. Good week to be in Green Bay, Wisconsin!

Welcome Back, Brett!!!!

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays: Because He Lives

2008-08-02T18:10:00.003-05:00

Glenn Cornelius Raber
May 12, 1929
July 27, 2008

Of all the hymns and praise choruses I have been exposed to, there are just a few that come to mind and become so real to me over and over again, when hard times hit. Because He Lives, is one of them. After posting on Then Sings My Soul Saturdays last week, I began to wonder what song would weigh on my heart this week that I would be as eager to write about as I was, At Calvary. When Jon, and I got home the following day, Sunday, at about 1:00 in the afternoon, there was a message on our voice mail. Jon's aunt had phoned. Her message was to tell us, Jon's dad had passed away at noon. Our brisk and energetic "Let's go for a bike ride" mindset immediately shifted to somber, still, quietness. In less than one moment's time, my husbands life had changed. Before the stillness of that moment was interrupted with the sound of the laying down of the phone receiver, that beautiful hymn Because He Lives, began in my head. Throughout this past week, I have tried to sing others, even play worship music, but all I can hear is, Because He Lives.

Because Jon's, parents have been failing in health, he has been reading what the Word of God, has to say about sorrow and grief. These are are a few of the things Jon, and I have learned about this subject. To begin with, we both know and understand that there is sadness when a loved one passes away, even when we have the assurance they are in Glory. But, we have learned so much about emotions and how the enemy of our souls would love to suffocate us with sorrow and grief, that if we choose to swim in it, it will drown us for sure. That is always Satan's goal for us. His only goal for us is to steal from us what he can, kill or destroy us. But you see, Jesus took and carried our grief and sorrow with Him to the Cross at Calvary. We really do not have to "grieve" or have overwhelming "sorrow". We can cast that at the foot of the Cross and exchange it for peace and joy. Will we have times of sadness? Yes. Will we have a longing to restore what we have lost? Absolutely. Tears? Plenty already, yes. Will we become despondent and give into out of control grief and sorrow? No. Will we need to seek help? Only at the Cross. We have a place to take all of the sadness, grief and sorrow. I have lost a mother, father, brother and lots of dreams as well. I know how deeply this can hurt. I know we have to acknowledge the loss. But, I also know that we have the ability to choose to fix our eyes, and keep our mind on Jesus, and receive unspeakable and amazing peace and joy. Jon, knows this too.

While in Athens, Paul became concerned about the new church he had planted in, Thessalonica. He sent Timothy, to check on them. Timothy took good news back to Paul, as the the Thessalonian's were thriving spiritually. Paul, wanted to go and see them, but he had more to do some miles away in, Corinth. So typical of Paul, he wrote to them. This letter did not contain his normal theology, it was a letter of gratitude for their continued faith in hard times, and encouragement. One of the most beautiful and freeing things he tells them is in 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.

I am not going to expound on all he taught them there, and in other places in scripture. I am only going to point out here that as Christian's, we do have hope, and we do not have to grieve like those that don't. Basically, the teaching about that is condensed in my paragraph above. Isaiah 51:11 says,

[The Lord God says] And the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing to Zion; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

It is not God's intention for us to live defeated. He gave us Jesus, to give us a way to live in victory. Instead of the shoulda, woulda, coulda's of losing another loved one, Jon and I choose to fix our eyes on our hope in glory, Christ Jesus.

Bill Gaither, wrote this wonderful hymn when our country was in unrest, the Viet Nam war, and when the the "God is dead" movement was so strong. Both he and Gloria, were so discouraged over bringing their soon to be born baby into a world in such wretched conditions. By the time their son was born, and they saw him with their own eyes, they were reminded and renewed in their faith. While holding that baby and just gazing on him, they were reassured that Because He [Jesus] Lives, tomorrow is worth living, fear gives way to victory and there is a bright future with hope because of, Jesus. After a long dry time of not writing songs, Bill Gaither gave us this amazing hymn of Victory!

'nuff said.

Song lyrics | Because He Lives lyrics

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Chorus:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Because He Lives
Words and music by William J. Gaither
© 1971

Bible study brunch, and a bit more.

2008-08-01T13:24:00.003-05:00

This summer, Tuesday's became one of my very favorite days. If you have read my July, 9th post, you already know Jon, and I have found a good church here in, Oklahoma. However, they have slowed down for Summer, and things like classes, fellowship groups and Bible studies are suspended until, Autumn. The beginning of June, my daughter and her children were here from Texas, visiting her sister that lives here, and I. While here, both of my girls' children went to Vacation Bible School. Of course every morning, Nana was there waving, hugging and kissing the sweet little eager faces of her very beautiful grandchildren as they were going into the church. In that process, I met some very wonderful women. These women had begun a Bible study that would continue through the middle of, July. After I made some inquiries, one woman took my phone number and said she would pass it on to the woman that should talk with me about this study. That afternoon a dear woman called and was happy to tell me all about it. They met on Tuesday's, and they were reading a novel authored by Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love. Ms. River's, inspiration for this novel and the basic story line was derived from the book of Hosea, in the Bible. She said I was very welcome to come that next, Tuesday. She did not need to invite me twice. I bought the book and off I went.

Now there are two things here I want to say. First, for some time now God, has had me in the "Love Camp". Yep, the "Love Camp". About two years ago I became serious enough about wanting God's plan for my life to be actualized that I began pressing in and seeking Him on just what that would be. In my time with Him, He began to speak to me about how important it is to receive His love, and how few really do. As I have continued in studying what God's love is, I have learned so much. For instance, you can not separate God, from His love because He is Love. Love is not an entity, it is, God. Love is a powerful force and not just some fluffy feeling we like to experience. The truth of the matter is, without it our faith does not work. I have learned so much about what love, God's kind of love looks like.

The passages highlighted above are probably familiar to you, they were to me. But these and so many more are no longer merely "passages" of scripture that are handy to know, they are becoming engraved on my heart. Every time I look in scripture, I see a new aspect of love. Every time I hear a sermon or teaching, hymn or praise chorus, I see a new aspect of love. I am not kidding you, I have been living in the "Love Camp", for two years. Oh, and that is another thing. I am really fond of studying the scriptures about abiding in, God. Well, that is ALL about love. No matter where I turn, God is teaching me what love is, how to recognize it, how to show it, and its value. I am seeing just how little I have really known about it. So, was any surprise that the title of the book these ladies were reading was, Redeeming Love? Of course not. Anytime I press into something anymore, I run into one of the streets in the "Love Camp". I used be a little astonished when I would bump into an opportunity to learn about, or I would receive a revelation about God’s love. Now, I not only expect it, but look for it. I have just gone ahead and built a little cottage and moved my furniture into, the "Love Camp". That is where God wants me to live, to abide, and so there I am and will stay unless He moves me on.

The second thing I want to say, is that I see no need to read material wrought with emotionally upsetting subject matter. This book revolved around such themes. I was somewhat comforted to find I was not the only woman there that held this view. The overall message of love expressed through forgiveness is portrayed, but the path to get there is so jaded with troubling matter that the overall message pales in its outcome. I think the author is good enough that she could have found a way to convey the plight of the human condition without Jesus, some other way. It was like cussing. Those words are available to use, and certainly make a point. There are other ways to say the same thing though, and without being objectionable or distasteful.

Reading this kind of material makes just about as much sense as asking a panel of male church leaders to peruse Playboy, Hustler, and a few other pornographic publications so they could see the exact condition of their male drive, their human condition, and how deeply they need a Savior. What you allow into the portals of your mind, your eyes in this case, is in, and remains there. Perhaps such an exercise would have a measure of a positive effect on those church leaders. But the seed of decay has already been planted.

My ears do not itch for drama. In fact, I avoid exposing myself to those things that are upsetting and are the peace and joy thieves of our lives. If there is no place for me in being a part of the solution, I don’t involve myself. Reading such emotionally disturbing material is not something I can bring resolve to for anyone, and it only opens the door for troubling thoughts for myself. I do not need to be rocked from some place of complacency an author assumes I as a reader am in, to see the need for and beauty of forgiveness, and how it is directly related to God’s Love. I make it a lifestyle to practice the wisdom of, Proverbs 4:23.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. NLT

It is amazing where my mind and my heart can go if I do not guard them.

Philippians 4:7b says,

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I found no peace in some of the scenes I did read in that book. It honestly did not take me long to put it down. The last thing I read in that book will ensure that I never pick it up again. I guess I am not a the means justify the end, kind of girl.

I realize Ms. Rivers, is an incredibly popular author and perhaps, though I doubt it, I may try another one of her books from the Lion Series, or Unafraid, or most likely the children’s edition of, The Shoe Box.

I did get off on a bit of a trail there. But, it was not a wandering haphazard rambling rabbit trail. I want to cause every reader of this post to stop and think about what you read, watch and listen to. Remember, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life". And, the way we think determines how we are, how we behave, what we know and believe. Those things we allow in our minds, form our thought patterns. Begin evaluating what your mind feeds on. Judge it. And then guard your heart by protecting it from the deposit of disturbing material. You will be so happy you did, and once you begin to filter those things out that deviate from edifying or blessing you, that are in fact unsettling and truly not necessary, you will begin to experience joy and peace that you won’t let anything steal from you. I have a long way to go in my walk with the Lord, but this guarding of my heart I know a little something about, and am so glad I do.

Now to bring this to full circle. I did enjoy my time with these ladies. Though I did not immerse myself in this novel, I was able to be a part of it all because the real subject matter revolved around the redeeming love God, shows His people in, Hosea. That I had a good grip on and our conversations were so candid and enriching. Scripture was brought out and discussed from throughout the, Bible. They are a great group of women and I honestly plan to continue in Bible study with them when they begin in two weeks, even when my church starts things back up full swing in the Autumn. There are three different studies to choose from for the fall. The one I have chosen is, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by, Joanna Weaver. My daughter told me a couple of years ago that it was a good book, so I bought it. Being a Martha, life got in the way and I never read it. Learning to be a Mary, I have dug it out, dusted it off, and very excited to get to the first meeting after our little break.

We ended our time together for a short break for Summer with a brunch. I took some Deviled Eggs, grapes and olives.

I realize this post probably comes off a little harsh and maybe preachy. But, I have grown to really care about those of you that read this blog. I care enough that I want to share those things that I have found to be valuable to me, with you. The things I would want you to share with me if they did me good. So, if this seemed to not be as fluffy and "feel good" as some other fun posts, please take it in the manner it was given, love.

New take on an old dish... and a new do.

2008-07-29T12:26:00.006-05:00

New take on an old dish...

Monday the 14th, was Bastille Day, and I mentioned earlier that I would be trying a second recipe using cherries as I usually do for that day, and that I would post the recipe if I liked it as much as the Cherry Cake I made right before, Bastille Day . I did not make that cake, in fact I skipped dessert entirely that day. I did make a dish that is an interesting and delicious twist on an old French favorite. Ratatouille, is a French dish that is in it's simplest form, stewed vegetables. It is very common in the summer as it uses plenty of fresh summer produce. It is associated with country or Provencal cuisine rather than Parisian. There are a number of recipes available that convert this country fare into city dining, simply by adjusting the herbs, perhaps adding mushrooms, and the way it is assembled and presented. But, it is all yummy & healthy, Ratatouille.

Most recipes saute and then stew the vegetables together. I prefer to gently saute the eggplant and then the zucchini in olive oil and freshly chopped garlic. The remainder of vegetables, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and all of the seasoning of which I use plenty of Herbes de Provence and more garlic, I simmer into a sauce. I then layer the sauteed eggplant, zucchini and sauce just as you would lasagna. On occasion, I do saute and then lay the eggplant and zucchini out in a swirl, in a quiche dish and then pour the sauce over and bake. But this year I tried something new. Quiche is French, and Jon, likes quiche. He certainly likes quiche better than a plate full of stewed vegetables, so I decided to tweak the Ratatouille experience this year.

Quiche: a non~sweet pastry crust shell with a savory custard filling made from heavy cream, eggs, cheese, seasonings and any vegetable or meat~seafood of your choice. My personal definition.

Ratatouille Quiche

Your favorite non~sweet pastry crust, enough for a 9~ inch dish
3/4 pound Italian sausage ( I use turkey Italian sausage links and remove from casing)
2 cups peeled and diced eggplant
1 cup sliced zucchini
1 cup peeled and diced tomato
3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup red bell pepper strips
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Herbes de Provence or...
equal parts, 1/2 teaspoon each of Rosemary, Thyme, Basil and Tarragon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 eggs
1/3 cup heavy cream or milk

Preheat oven to 325°.
Line a 9~inch quiche dish or pie plate with pastry. Using a fork make just a few holes on the bottom and sides of your pastry shell.
Bake shell for 3~4 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Remove shell from oven and prick a few more times on both bottom and side.
Bake 6~7 minutes longer.

Brown and cook sausage until done and crumbled. Drain well.
Combine and mix well the sausage with eggplant, zucchini, tomato, onion, bell pepper, garlic, cheeses and seasonings.
Pour into pastry shell.
Whip eggs and cream together. I use my blender.
Pour over sausage and vegetable mixture.
Bake at 325°
325° for 55~65 minutes or until set.
Let stand 10~15 minutes before cutting.

Due to the high water content of the vegetables, you must bake the pastry shell first. Normally, you bake quiche pastry with the filling and only once. You will have an ooey gooey crust if you skip this step.

Serve with an heated crusty bread loaf.

Bon Apetite!

UPDATE:
Kim, over at NannyKim's Recipes tried this and said it was the best quiche she had ever tasted. Wow! Thanks for the compliment, Kim. She did go crust~less for hers. Here is her post on the quiche.

and a new do.

I also mentioned that I would be trying a new hair stylist on this particular Monday, Bastille Day. I was in desperate need of a trim... no, I was in desperate need of an hair cut. Finding someone in a new town can be tricky and somewhat scary. So, I did what I figured was the safest thing to do. Selecting women that consistently had smart hair, I inquired at church regarding who I might want to make an appointment with.

These pictures reflect my choice of stylist and the work he did. I love this cut. It is so versatile. I can go casual, very dressy, semi~up, and is so incredibly easy to maintain. Even sloppy it looks good. This gentleman was highly recommended, and I will be one of those recommending him in the future.

We had never met he and I, but he knew I had been referred by ladies at church. So after we discussed hair styles, we began to talk about church, how it was I had moved here, his experiences with family leaving the area, and how he got started in the hair business. He told me he was an accountant, and this was suppose to only be part time. He got into the hair business as a hobby really because he just enjoyed it. He told me how he has had to cut back his accounting hours because the stylist work was growing so quickly. Just about the time he took a significant chunk off of my hair, in a highly visible and crucial spot, he dropped the how much he enjoyed "BARBER SCHOOL" bomb. I am not sure just how much Barbering School has changed since I went to Cosmotology School in the late 1970's, but at that moment I was very interested in finding that out. As it turned out, Barbering has come a long way. Without getting on some state/gov web site, I see very little difference, and this guy was good with all types of scissors, chose my style for me, and I am very happy and impressed with how fast he cut and styled a wonderful new do.

A pale attempt at showing how very much I care.

2008-07-28T16:18:00.002-05:00

You may remember on May 23rd, I posted "Take a Walk With Me Around My Little Town". In that, I mentioned a woman, Mary Ann Wenzel. She is a retired high school nurse, my school nurse, now working at the library in the town I lived in. In December, her husband passed away. I was so saddened by that. Not long ago, her daughter Jean Therese Wenzel, only 47 years young, passed away. This was unexpected and naturally I was quite saddened. I have not made a card in some time, but I just could not bring my self to buy a ready made card for Mary Ann. So, I thought I might give you all a look at my first card in quite some time... that I really wish I had had no reason, or at least a different reason to make. I really care about, Mary Ann. She is one of those special people in my life that I count a blessing. I have not missed being in, Chesterton. I would like to be able to see her, drop off some cookies, scones, banana bread, something... and just tell her how much I care, and that I am there. But, the card has to do. I'm not there am I? I like where I am and don't miss Indiana, but this one is tough.

A typical moment in our life with, Baxter.

2008-07-28T12:01:00.002-05:00

I have been noticing there are a number of things that happen in our everyday lives that are so rote we don't give them a thought. I honestly think most sit~com's get their subject matter from just such daily occurrences. I should probably mention here that I have not actually seen a sit~com episode for probably seven or eight years (maybe longer), so I am not honestly sure what the exact subject matter is, but I'd be willing to guess it the shows are still a reflection of current everyday life. I just rarely watch T.V. but I am thinking of those I did watch i.e., The Dick van Dyke Show, Hazel, Benson, Rhoda, Happy Days, A Fine Romance, Fawlty Towers, The Cosby Show, All in the Family, and my all time favorite, I Love Lucy.

So, I thought I might do a small post on a typical, rote daily moment that we have with, Baxter. It crossed my mind a few days ago when he did this, I should grab a few photos and post them. We think nothing of it anymore, but it really is quite funny.

When done eating, Baxter will use his paw and jaw to flip his food dish over if he thinks the portion was not what he perhaps should have had meted out for dinner.

Excuse me, perhaps you did not hear the clanking of stainless steel against cast iron when I flipped that empty bowl over.

Here, I'll make it easy for you to scoop up a little more. I'll just lay this dish down for you.

Perhaps you need a moment. I will just show you my patient, soft and gentle side here.

At some point, usually 2~3 minutes later, Baxter lays down and though he watches me closely for the next little period of time, he stretches out and gives up. No barking. Just a sigh and some stretching and quiet resignation. Tomorrow is another day, another meal.

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays: At Calvary

2008-07-26T13:19:00.012-05:00

A couple of days ago, I added a new link to my sidebar. The really pretty blue one with cute musical notes on it that says Then Sings My Soul Saturdays, is the one I am referring to. I discovered this blogging opportunity just this week, and have been eager since for Saturday, to get here. And, here we are!! This will be a regular part of my blogging. Every Saturday, a new song.

Music is the art of sound and can evoke emotions. For instance, I can listen to instrumental pieces of Beethoven’s performed that I do not associate with words of worship, praise or adoration toward God, or any other tangible thought or memory, and yet it can stir my heart so that I cry. What a powerful tool music is. It can reach the parts of the heart~soul, like nothing else. I am so grateful for music. Enter words. There is power of life and death in the tongue, our words. So combine the stirring power of music with the creative power of words, and you have endless possibilities for the level of worship you can reach.

The song I have chosen this Saturday, is At Calvary. Calvary, is where it begins for all of us that have received Christ, as our Savior. And for me, this song was very instrumental in my receiving Jesus, as my personal Savior. So since this is my first time posting on Then Sings My Soul Saturday, I thought I would start at the beginning.

Having been in Bible teaching churches all of my life, by the time I was eleven I had a good understanding of who Jesus, is and that there is an afterlife for each of us that will be spent in either Heaven, or Hell. I guess I just figured that was all sown up for me because I was a church kid and knew that stuff. No biggie, I'm in for the Heaven, destination.

Normally for Sunday evening service, I would sit with the rest of the kids my age. At eleven years old one was not a part of the "Youth Group", but we were all tolerated by them and they "allowed" us to sit in "their" pews for that service. The Youth Group leaders had that pack of energy seated fairly close to the front. Smart that team. But this particular hot summer evening, in July, I chose to sit in nearly the back row, on the inside by the isle, and by myself. All afternoon that Sunday, I wanted to get back to church. Something was stirring in my heart. Later I would understand that was the, Holy Spirit. I was a Tom~Boy growing up. Since I could get away with sandals and a casual skirt and top for Sunday evenings, and leave those dress shoes, tights and dressy dresses at home, I did. But this stirring in me made me want to dress up. So I chose my favorite dressy dress. It had an empire waist with a Daffodil yellow skirt and bolero jacket. The bodice was white and so were the Daisy appliques on the skirt. Donned in my best dress, I walked in the church, headed for the sanctuary and chose my isolated seat near the back. I am sure my mother thought something was wrong, my friends thought I had lost it, and I could not have explained myself but to say something was pulling on me like I had never been pulled before. God, was calling my name that day, and I heard Him, and followed His leading.

As Pastor Warford preached, it felt as though he, the pull on my heart and I, were the only ones in the room. He spoke of how God, loved us each personally. He spoke of how great that love was in that He gave His only Son, just to get us back from the course of destruction we were on. And, he spoke of how God, would have done that for anyone of us, and just one of us. And, that He in fact did it for all of us. He spoke of how each of us must choose God's Son Jesus, for ourselves. He spoke of how God doesn't have grand kids. He spoke to me.

At the end of the service, that song I knew by heart and had sung countless and boring times began, At Calvary. I had walked around vainly just assuming all was well because I was a church kid and knew some, Bible. Until that evening, I figured I was as good as the next kid and my sins were no worse than others. In fact, I was a pretty neat kid. Such vanity... oh my. As you read the verses in the song below, just know they really pulled me out of my blind condition. My first spiritual light bulb went on that night, and it revealed my need for a Savior, for Jesus. But the refrain. After every verse was the refrain. The verses convicted me... but the refrain delivered me.

Refrain:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.

Read those lines again, please.

There was mercy for me... those convictions I was trying to suppress did not need suppressed, they needed forgiven. And, all I had to do was accept the forgiveness. The grace was free for the taking. I wanted Jesus, as my Savior. I wanted Him as my friend. And there, I found liberty... At Calvary.

That was the best night of my life. My closest friendship, the safest place for me to go, the anchor of my life, all began that night. Thirty eight years later, this hot July afternoon, I am blessed to have a place here to share that.

The fruit of this song in my life is truly a tribute to the power of words. For me, the composition of the music in this song is nothing amazing that would normally stir me on it’s own merit. Because of the role this song played in my life, here and now, and forever, it brings an enormous amount of emotion up in me. Start playing that and my heart swells, my eyes water and my hand goes up. It really does not matter where I am, because this is the song that gave my soul a reason to sing!

Thank you, Mr. Newell and Mr. Towner for this wonderful hymn. Praise You Jesus, for Your gift of grace and salvation. May this song always bring glory to You, Abba Father for the gift of Your Son!

At Calvary

1. Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.
*Refrain.
2. By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.
*Refrain.
3. Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary!
*Refrain.
4. Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!
*Refrain.
*Refrain: Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty At Calvary.

Author ~ William R. Newell, 1868~1956
Composer ~ Daniel B. Towner, 1850~1919

Be blessed!

Blogger Award Nomination

2008-07-23T08:23:00.015-05:00

I am really touched. Mary, has nominated me for this Blog Award. I am also pretty excited as this is my first award. Thank you, Mary. I will be passing this award on to seven others, and Mary would have been on that list had she not been the one to nominate me.

I like these awards that blogger's give and receive, because they bless the giver and bless and encourage the receiver. When I was younger, can't remember exactly... 6th~7th grader maybe, I discovered this Bible verse.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Proverbs 3:27

As I would revisit that verse through the years, I gleaned more from it and realized that what I originally learned from it was just the beginning. This verse has to do with treating others fairly and helping those in need as well. This verse is tucked in a passage of scripture that is full of just good wisdom to live by. What is relevant here though, is what God laid on my heart the first time I read it. For me the verse very simply meant not to keep anything good that I had to give, from someone that could use it. In my family, immediate and extended, being verbally encouraging, giving affirmation, or anything else that hinted of positive emotion was just not done. It wasn't that I did not have those feelings of wanting to express a kind word or display gratitude, it just was not the way it was done. Laughter was seldom, forget hugs, and appearances were important. This verse did not "change" me, it simply gave me the courage to be who I was in this area. I saw things in such a positive manner (I was often called The Dreamer, and things like "Will she ever get her head out of the clouds?" were spoken about me), and I always had it in me to want to show gratitude and tell people when I liked things they said or did. So... since I had given God's Word power in my life by that time, I began to put feet on my feelings, and step out in faith over this one little verse. I found it incredibly freeing and fun to encourage people and tell them when I saw something I thought was good, or nice, or just interesting that they did. I began sending cards and notes to people that were in the church bulletin. You know, hope you are feeling better~ congratulations on your baptism~graduation~engagement~marriage~baby, sorry for your loss~just thinking of you, just simple cards with notes. Encouragement. As a young adult some years later, someone at church suggested I start a ministry revolving around being an encouragement. We do need to encourage on another. David was so distressed and isolated from goodness, and had no one around to encourage him that he had to encourage himself in the, Lord. We can do that, God is a personal and One on one God, He seeks out a personal relationship with us, but how sad that we would never have the encouragement from others. People can be such an encouragement to each other, with just a little act of kindness. That is what these Awards are. Little acts of kindness, and I love seeing others get them, I am blessed and encouraged to now have received one... and I am excited to pass it on.

Having said all of that, I want to be sure to say right here, if I can find a Great Servant award anywhere, I am going to get it to Pam, immediately. She has been such a help to me since I moved to, Oklahoma. Thank you, Pam!

Once an award is received, the rules are as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs
4. Add links to those blogs

5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Before I list them, I will say that I realize some of you have received this Award. I just wanted to give it to you as well.

My nominees, in alphabetic order because they are equally lovely, are:

Beehive Cottage~Mary Jane: Retro and Pink!!!
Coffee and Chocolate~Deborah: For her devotion to her Savior, Jesus.
For the Love of Cottage~LeAnn: Creativity, beauty and cottage style. Her love for God, and the Grace He has given her.
Friendship Tea~Linda: Family, friends, tea and Britain.
In the Garden with Miss Jean~Jean: Family, Pink, the antics and life of her adorable Maggie, Scottish Terriers, and I have to nominate a friend that loves Calendar Girls and Fried Green Tomatoes.
Ramblings From an English Garden~Barbara: For sharing her beautiful country, England with the world, and more because of her faith in, her love and passion for, and worship of God, her Father, Jesus, her Savior and the Holy Spirit, her teacher and guide.
Shropshire Girl~Sandra: The simplicity and beauty of living a good life.

I could have passed this on to so many more, but there is my list. I hope you will visit each one. I think you will like the time you spend on each little corner of the web world that these ladies call their own.

Be abundantly blessed!

This is true....

2008-07-21T07:34:00.003-05:00

Blog away!

Chocolate Pepsi Cake with Chocolate Pepsi Frosting

2008-07-18T21:04:00.011-05:00

I have received requests for the Chocolate Pepsi Cake with Chocolate Pepsi Frosting that yielded $45.00, at the Dessert Auction, at church.

When I was taking Home Economics in high school, one of the cakes we made was a Coca Cola Cocoa Cake. I began cooking when I was seven, was preparing family meals by ten, and putting together my own little concoctions and recipes by then as well. When my Home Ec teacher passed out the recipes to choose from for that week's project, I influenced my group of four students to give the Coca Cola Cocoa Cake a whirl. I just knew the marshmallows in the batter were too much and it would be more of a Coca Cola Cocoa Mess... or a batch of really gooey brownies, at best. I persuaded the group to do this one by reminding them we could all bring in Coca Cola and drink it, without repercussion. So, Coca Cola Cocoa Cake it was!

I will spare you the details, suffice it to say that cake was delicious. Moist, but no batch of brownies... and no messy goo. Amazing and memorable.

For years I looked for a recipe that resembled this cake. This was before access to the internet. I even asked Maggie, my Home Economics (retired by this time) teacher if she remembered the cake and had the recipe. She remembered the incident (she smiled, I sighed), but did not have the recipe. Some time ago, I found a recipe that I believe is very close if not exactly like the one from Home Ec. With a some playing around and tweaking, this is the recipe I used for the Dessert Auction at church, and made a second for my daughter's family. This cake truly is better the next, and the next~next day. The next time I make this, I am going to use Coca Cola. I've been using Pepsi Cola, since that is what the recipe calls for. When I start using Coca Cola, I will call it... Coca Cola Cocoa Cake. :~)

This the recipe as I have tweaked it.

Chocolate Pepsi Cake with Chocolate Pepsi Frosting

Cake:
In large bowl sift together:

2 cups sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour

Mix in saucepan:

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup Canola oil
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup Pepsi Cola (warm)

Bring to boil, pour over dry mixture and stir some.

Then add:

1/2 cup buttermilk
1~1/2 teaspoons soda
2 eggs ( I use Extra Large)
1~1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1~3/4 cup miniature marshmallows

Mix all together well, marshmallows should melt, then pour into well greased pan 13x9x2. Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes.

Frosting:
Mix in saucepan and bring to boil:

1/2 cup butter
4 tablespoons cocoa
6~7 tablespoons Pepsi Cola

Remove from stove and add:

1 pound powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecans (chopped)

Mix and spread over hot cake.

I use a hand mixer for both cake and frosting, but you can get away with just mixing well with a spoon.

You may not get $45. from friends or family by serving this cake, but the love and accolades should flow!

Enjoy!

World's oldest blogger dies at 108 years old.

2008-07-14T10:06:00.004-05:00

I won't say much here other than to say how amazing... this 108 year old woman had blogging friends from all over the world, and being moved to a nursing home did not stop her from blogging. Her last post was just shortly before she passed away. Her name was, Olive Riley. You can take a look here, and here, to read about her and her blog. Her blog shared her observations of life in the twentieth century.

Wonder if those of us that love blogging will still be at it at, 108.

Blessings,

Green tomatoes are good eats!

2008-07-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

I promised Kim, I would give her the Fried Green Tomatoes recipe I like. It tastes just like my father's used to. Oh YUM!!!! Um.. Um.. UMMMMM!

The recipe I found that tastes so yummylicious and so much like those from my childhood were published in this book.

The Green Tomato Cookbook,
Recipes from Juliette, GA
Home of the Movie "Fried Green Tomatoes"

Click the above cookbook link if you are interested in the wonderful little $3.99, Green Tomato Cookbook. There are really good recipes in that book like, English Green Tomato Chutney, Green Tomato & Apple Chutney,1940's Green Tomato Pie, Green Tomato Omelet With Basil, Green Tomato Jelly and more.

I bought my copy while in Juliette, Georgia last year. You can click here to see my post on that. Oh my goodness.....!!!!!!! In looking at that post, I have already posted the infamous Fried Green Tomato, recipe. Please if you would, just go to the "post" link and see. That is the one I would have put here.

For those of you experiencing that wonderful abundance problem with your tomato garden, I highly recommend the, Fried Green Tomatoes. And if you are ever anywhere near Juliette, Georgia, be sure to go to the Whistle Stop Cafe, and order a plate.

You know, in writing all of this and drooling some, it occurs to me that Kim, is working really hard on, and doing a great job with finding and altering recipes to help lower blood pressure. Okay, the bacon grease is not going to aid in that gallant effort. There is a baked, Fried Green Tomato recipe in that book. I will end this by putting that recipe on here for anyone wanting to be health conscious.

'Fried' Green Tomatoes

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Dash Cayenne pepper (optional)

4 large green tomatoes cut into 1/2" slices
1 egg white beaten with 2 tbsp water
Parmesan Cheese

Vegetable cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a shallow dish, combine cornmeal, bread crumbs, paprika, salt, pepper and Cayenne, if desired; set aside.

Lightly coat a baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray; set aside. Dip each tomato slice in egg white mixture, then dredge in cornmeal~bread crumb mixture to coat. Place slices in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Spray tops of slices with vegetable cooking spray.

Bake 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese during last 5 minutes of baking if desired. Serve immediately.

I have never made these, but if you are looking to healthy up the original recipe, this is probably pretty good eats. Rosie Daley, calls this technique "Unfried" in her book, In the Kitchen with Rosie: Oprah's Favorite Recipes. By the way, this is a good book for just plain ol' overall health.

Here's hoping you'll love the Fried Green Tomatoes!

Clafouris aux Cerises

2008-07-11T13:48:00.006-05:00

or ahem.. Cherry Cake.

You may remember that last year just around this time I posted a Basque Cake recipe. Cherries are so good in July, and the French use them especially at this time of year. So typically, I look for some French cake or pastry recipe to whip up. You know, Strawberry Shortcake in June, Peach Cobbler in August, and Cherry Something French in, July. This year when I took my trek through French cookbooks, I spotted one that looked simple (though that really was not a criteria for recipe selection), moist and delicious. Delicious was a criteria :-). This cake turned out to be even more moist than I anticipated. The scrumptious little piece of gateau was dense like a pudding. Oh yum!! Being more of a pie person than a cake person, I was delighted! Also, if you think you may like to try this, though it is delicieux while warm, I liked it even better after it had been refrigerated over night and served cold, so you may want to bake it the day before, or morning of wanting to serve it. I do have another cherry yummy I will be trying on Jour de Bastille Juilllet de 14, Bastille Day. I will get that recipe up if I like it as much as I did this one. So with no further ado, la recette:

Cherry Cake

Filling:

1/2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 pounds fresh cherries, or 2 1/2 ~ 3 cups canned or frozen Bing or dark sweet cherries

Batter:

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup all-purpose flour

Sauce:

1 cup reserved liquid from the fresh or canned cherries
2 tablespoons cherry or raspberry preserves
1/4 cup cold water

On your mark...

Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Butter and flour a 5~6 cup baking dish or cake pan.
Wash, pit and remove the stems of cherries if fresh. Pit and remove stems over a bowl to catch any juice.
If cherries are canned, drain and reserve the liquid.
If using frozen cherries there is no need to thaw, just add 10 minutes to baking time.
Dry cherries by rolling them about in paper toweling.
Measure 2 1/2 ~ 3 cups cherries and put them in clean bowl.

Get set...

Add the batter ingredients to the jar of a blender in the order in which they are listed. Place the lid on securely. Blend at high speed for 1 minute.
To do this by hand, place the ingredients in a large bowl and blend well with a spoon or whisk. (Personally, I would not do this after seeing the consistency of the finished cake.)

Cook!

Spread the cherries evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
Gently pour the batter over the cherries.
Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 50 ~ 60 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the center of the cake is firm. Let the cake rest while you prepare the sauce.
Pour the reserved liquid from the canned cherries or any juices that accumulated from the fresh cherries into a small saucepan.
Add the cherry or raspberry preserves and the water and mix well.
Bring to a boil on medium~high heat. Reduce to simmer and cook for 3~4 minutes. (I ended up simmering for more like 8~10 minutes.)

This cake can be served with he sauce warm or cold. Topped with real whipped cream is really wonderful... again warm or cold. (My personal note.)

This recipe is from The Cooking of France, and is authored by, Matthew Locricchio. This book is geared toward the younger aspiring chef, and so I did cut corners on the directions, but basically this is how the recipe appears in Mr. Locricchio's book.

Bon appetit!

A little granddaughter time.

2008-07-11T11:42:00.014-05:00

Shortly after arriving in Oklahoma, my daughter that lives in Texas, and her three children came to visit. I will be sharing that with you in a separate post. Although, I did get to spend time with my two local granddaughters during that time, one of them really just wanted a little personal Nana time when her cousins went back to, Texas. So, one afternoon, just she and I went to the pool and had a blast (we will be doing that again next week)! We came home put together a little fresh fruit salad with yogurt to get us by until a dinner of French toast and sausage was ready. Jon loved that, cause it just don't happen like that around here. We watched Loch Ness. I offered The Waterhorse, but she wanted to see Loch Ness this time, saving The Waterhorse for next time. Then quite past her bedtime, we headed off for some needed rest for the next morning.

Six~thirty and we were back up and in the kitchen. My granddaughter wanted to make a Lemon Meringue Pie. She had been at that dessert auction with me at church and thought that pie would be just the thing. She was hoping I was only taking the cookies and cake that to the auction that evening, and that the pie would be for family. Well, I got that the wrong way around I suppose. I made two Chocolate Pepsi Cake's and left one of them at her house for everyone, not the Lemon Meringue Pie. Oh well, it's six~thirty in the morning and time for a little redemption for the, Nana. On a recent tag post where you had to tell six things about yourself that you had never mentioned on your blog, I mentioned that I had won first in "Show" and "Taste" for my Lemon Meringue Pie. I asked my granddaughter if she wanted to make it the way I make it now after tweaking my original recipe, or if she preferred to start where I did. She wanted the original recipe and she would go from there. Loch Ness, original recipe... she might get that "first things first" mentality from her, Nana. Remember I start book series and everything else in the beginning? Perhaps it's the anal thing she might have picked up. Perhaps those are one and the same. Not sure, but we started with my original recipe.

Shell baked and cooling, eggs separated, lemons zested, all ingredient's measured and utensils out... time to get squeezing. I love the smell of lemon's gettin' the squeeze!

The first lemon was left a little pulpy and wet. So... time to put some muscle in it. I am proud to say she re~squeezed the first lemon and squeezed the rest of them dry! A perfectionist... who knew? :-)

Done! And very satisfied with her work... as she should have been. With the exception of using the zester, she did this all by herself. I gotta tell ya, I love this brand of baking. Soooo much easier!

Her first pie. This is the same granddaughter that learned to make shortcakes last summer.

And now we are off to that Mall I discovered while her Aunt from Texas, was here. My daughter, the shopping diva. I manage to not even think of going to a mall until she gets here. Fret not! She helped me with that. I have to admit, I am not a mall kinda girl, but the Mall we went to when she was here was really nice. And now, to take one of the younger shopping diva's. We ended up spending about four and a half hours there. Yikes! But, good times!! Who knew? A quick stop on the way home for some produce and......

we stop by my house for a quick cup of tea. This Bengal Spice Tea is actually not tea at all. It is an herbal melange of the most flavorful kind, and it became one of my favorites the moment I took my first sip!! Thanks, Sarah. My granddaughter got a whiff of mine the night before and wanted to try it. No caffeine, no problem. Even her daddy won't mind. Tea sipped and a cookie eaten, grab the pie, and it's off to take her home in time for dinner ~ and she is bringing dessert! Life is good!

Oh, the pie was wonderful!

Be blessed!

So simple, so true.

2008-07-10T14:54:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, I said I would give you an overview on what has been happening here since we arrived. I don't know how many times today I have headed in this direction and something else took precedence. I apologize. I am certain tomorrow I will get an "all caught up" post up.

In the meantime, I stumbled on a quote, in a blog I have visited in the past. I used to visit One Woman's Cottage Life, when we were beginning our redoing of the Chesterton, house. I found her blog very informational and fun. This quote can be appreciated by all, but for those downsizing, spring/fall cleaning, remodeling, or relocating... it is precious and I just had to touch base with all of you today, so I thought I would offer this quote to you. It struck me as so true.

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. ~William Morris

And of course, beauty means different things to everyone.

Have a beautiful day,

Tagged and getting back to my blog!

2008-07-09T12:14:00.005-05:00

I have kept up on reading the blogs I visit, though I have commented very little, but I have not blogged myself, and have honestly missed it. Moving is such an huge project, especially when you move over 800 miles and opt to do it yourself rather than hire movers. I am still glad we did it that way, but what job! Anyway I am hoping, and I do think I can now maintain this blog like I would like to as all of the events surrounding this move are behind me and the dust has settled. Okay, a few more boxes of things to make final decisions about are still staring at me from the far side of the garage, and I am looking about for someplace I would like to work. I need to find a vet, make four curtains, and find someone to cut my hair (I may have found a stylist. Let you know next Monday, afternoon). Other than those little matters, I am settled. Praise God!! and thanks to a few very special people.

So lets start with some getting back to sort of things. I need to get back to Kim. On June 22, ugh... Kim tagged me. The guideline for this tag is, "...to name my top 5 musicians and my top 5 favorite compositions done by them." Here goes, Kim.

1. Chicago
Colour My World
Stay the Night (Be still my heart!)
You're the Inspiration
Hard Habit to Break
What Kind of Man Would I Be?
oh my gosh... how do you narrow Chicago down to five fave's?

2. Beatle's
The Long and Winding Road
All My Loving
Yesterday
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Come Together
again... how do you narrow classics down to five fave's?

3. Temptations (Yeppers! I was a HUGE Motown fan... still love the stuff.)
Just My Imagination
I Can't Get Next to You
Ball of Confusion
Get Ready
I Wish it Would Rain

4. Diana Ross and the Supremes (And what Motown lovin' girl did not listen to these?)
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
You Can't Hurry Love
Love Child
Reach Out and Touch
I Hear a Symphony
...wow, a lot of singing about love and no substance to it.

5. Simon & Garfunkel
The Sound of Silence
Scarborough Fair
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Mrs. Robinson
Cecilia

What a stroll down Memory Lane that was. With the exception of a few songs like Love Child, and Ball of Confusion, I still would listen to these and more like them if I still owned them. Actually, I have considered buying some Chicago stuff, hummmm maybe I will. While I did listen to music, I never was a person that had the radio, 8 track or cassette player on everywhere I went, not even as a teenager or young adult. Now, I listen to jazz, classical, big band and worship music like hymns and praise choruses. For the most part though, I love quiet. I just use music maybe to accompany me in the car if I am taking a trip that takes more than an hour, and on rare occasion around the house. And then, I tend to listen to non music recordings. Boring? Yeah, some think so. But that's me and I like that part of me. Thanks for thinking of me, Kim!

Okay, my next item to get back to Kim, with is about an auction they held at church. I would just love to be a part of a really great House Church, but at least for now that is not the case. However, I am finally in a church that I can walk in agreement with, and worship freely. I believe your church is more important than where you live or work. Church is where you form friends to fellowship with and where you are being fed whatever spiritual food they serve. I am very choosy about both. The church we are attending is such a blessing and an answer to so many of things I have prayed about over the last few years. I am sure as I blog, you will hear more about the happenings from church. Alright, about the auction. This auction was hosted by the youth. It is an annual event at this church. It is a Dessert Auction, and was held to help raise funds for future outreach events that youth would be doing. These youth performed beautifully some amazing music and drama, and some gave moving testimonies about how they received Jesus, as their Savior, and what he means to them now. Very edifying and encouraging!!! Immediately following was the Dessert Auction. The room was full of people and four long tables were covered with scrumptious homemade desserts. There was and auctioneer and and an auction that I could hardly believe, and I was sitting there. Kim, I did bake and take your Raisin Oatmeal Classics. I called them Craisin Raisin Oatmeal Walnut Cookies. Original huh? Well, I wanted prospective buyers to know what was in them. I did go with all-purpose flour instead of soft whole wheat pastry flour since they were for the general public, but I love them with the pastry flour. So, here is the list of what I took and what each item got as a final bid.

1. Craisin Raisin Oatmeal Walnut Cookies (one plate of 2 dozen) $40.00
2. Chocolate Pepsi Cake with Chocolate Pepsi Frosting (13 X 9) $45.00
3. Lemon Meringue Pie (9 inch) $135.00

It is true. These people support missions, their youth and the work God has laid before them, and they are serious about it. There is a real showing of being a cheerful giver in this church. They understand the seed principle. The overall giving that night amounted to $4,331.00. A great start for this next years outreach projects the youth will host.

Blessings,

Westward Ho!

2008-07-09T12:14:00.003-05:00

I thought I might post a few photos of our recent move. Since the profile photo of me at the lap top was taken in our home in Indiana, and we have moved, I have changed the photo to one taken in our home in, Oklahoma. Sorry, Kim. Tomorrow, I will post a little about what has been going on here at our house since the move.

Everything was packed up and filled up,

everyone was tucked up... and it off we went.

We left Chesterton, so much later than we anticipated. Originally, we wanted be rolling out by 12:00 noon. There were some unexpected snags and by the time we got a bite to eat at local fast food place, it was 7:30p.m. Had we left on time, our goal was to get to Springfield, Missouri, and stay the night. Doing so we would have easily arrived at our destination by 2:00p.m. the following day, and we could have unloaded and set up the necessities such as bed, linens, couch, and a few needed kitchen items by bedtime. The next day being Sunday, we could have finished unloading and returned the U-Haul trucks that evening. The best laid plans and all that. By the time we had been on the road four hours, and only somewhat down the highway in Illinois, I got a the full impact of the previous three weeks. I became so overwhelmed with sleepiness I had to stop. There was a rest area within a few miles of that wave of drowsiness, and we stopped. I have seen truckers and RV's park and rest for the night at rest areas many times when we have traveled. I just never figured I would be one. But there we were, Baxter and I in one truck, and Jon, in the other, and about 25 of our closest trucker and RV friends we had just never met... snoozing until morning. Up, teeth brushed, clothes changed, a little walk... and we are back at the rambling road and on our way.

320 miles later give or take, we are passing through St. Louis.

300 more miles and we are in Oklahoma and on the Will Rogers Turnpike.

50 miles into Oklahoma, we stop for one last ..... Tornado! Okay, BritGal warned me about this but... yikes. Oh, and Sarah, YES!! feel free to hook me up with your tornado survival expert, Pam??. There was no doubt for those of us at this stop that there was a tornado somewhere in the area. People were getting off of the turnpike because of the high winds. We ventured back out once the wind settled down some and it was still hard to keep those heavy U-Haul trucks on the road. Here is an article, complete with photos I later found about this tornado.

What a trooper! Baxter, did not seem to even mind. These photo's do not do this event justice.

However, he really was having trouble staying on the ground. If memory serves me right, Jon ended up carrying him most of the way back to my truck.

65 miles of driving in really high winds, coupled with being tired and way past our hoped time of arrival, we did not stop in, Tulsa. This photo is from a previous trip and I just thought I would insert it. Normally, we would have stopped here and then had lunch at Rib Crib. Yumm!!!!! a serious perk to living in, Oklahoma!

Another 110 miles and Home Sweet Rent House. :-)

These are two of my granddaughter's that live nearby. Shortly after we moved in, they hand painted (okay, maybe hand permanent marked) a lovely terra cotta pot and filled it with with impatiens. The sentiment on it simply says, "I love you, Nana" and it is trimmed with plum purple ribbon and embellished with carnation pink beading. Thanks, girls!
The people here in Oklahoma, are not in a hurry about anything. I love that. Stress and discouragement are just not a part of everyday life here. I love that. And!! they are all so friendly. I mean it. Everyone has been amazingly friendly. What a lovely place Oklahoma, is. For everyone that has said to me, "Welcome to, Oklahoma", let me just say, I do feel very welcomed here and I am glad to be here.

More tomorrow on a few wonderful things that have happened in the last three weeks.

Blessings wherever you are!

I've been tagged, and oh yeah, I've moved!

2008-06-10T13:54:00.007-05:00

My Okie ~ British friend Sarah, has tagged me. This is the first time I have ever been tagged. Whoo Hoo!!! I am a little surprised as although I have been reading and keeping up with those I blogs I enjoy reading, I have not been posting much lately. I suppose now is as good a time as any to get around to mentioning why. Some of you are aware, and others of you are not, that Jon, Baxter and I moved to Oklahoma, a few weeks ago. Actually, since it is the 10th, we have been here exactly one month now. We knew we would be leaving the Chesterton, Indiana, area. We had felt God’s leading for some time. I honestly thought we would be heading southeast. But God, had a different plan. We are now Okie’s, or as some say, Sooners.

Every door we tried to open in the Nashville, or Atlanta, area was shut hard and fast. The door here in Oklahoma, was completely a God thing. It is a great move for Jon’s career, the people he works for are amazing in the way they run their business, (it came as no surprise to find out they were Christians), and the weather and people here are so great. We are loving it here. And, we are now involved with a church that is beyond amazing. I have been to a number of churches and just want to say, the church we are now attending is by far the most balanced and biblically based church I have ever been to. I have never gone into this on my blog, but it completely distresses me how far off the “church” is today from the blueprint set up for her in the New Testament. Enough said on that right now, I will just highlight how happy we are at the church we are now at.

Alrighty then, to get on about the business at hand. I need to share six random things about myself that I have never shared on this blog, and then proceed to tag six people to do the same. Here goes.

The Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about you in your blog post.
4. Tag six people in your post.
5. Let each person know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Six random things about myself never shared on this blog.

I just have to say here that a tag like this makes you realize how much we do share on our blogs. As I try to think of random and so far undisclosed things about myself, I am acutely aware of how much I have shared. But... here we go.

1. Although there are many places I love to be, one of my favorite places to be is in the water. I find being in water so freeing and such a release. I do like aquatic exercise better than any other form, but just being in the water gives me the feeling of such freedom, a complete break from any stress, and quite honestly I feel closer to God while in water than anywhere else. I realize He lives in me and that is theologically an off statement, but I am not talking about theology and fact. Some people read or write better inside of a building, outside at a park or beach... I feel closest to God in the water. Perhaps it is because I equate freedom with my relationship to Him. And, for a little extra added measure here, I have always wanted to swim with Dolphins. They are the most graceful and free spirited creatures on the planet. Just watch the way they sachet out of the water and the very same way they sachet back in, creating peacefully perfect movement.

2. There are so many things I really enjoy doing, but the thing I love to do the most is public speaking. I do enjoy being in dramatic productions. I enjoy being the MC for an event. I even enjoy narration for productions. Be that as it may, I am most myself when I am speaking to a group of people (the larger the better), about the Lord, His Word and what He has done in my life. I honestly believe that moving to Oklahoma, has been a strategic part of just what it is God is calling me out to do. And, I am very excited about the things He is laying on my heart in this area.

3. I have won first place blue ribbons in both “Show” and “Taste” in two baking contests. The first was for my Lemon Meringue Pie, the second for my Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

4. I have never been, nor I desire to be in the “Twiggy” category where my body is concerned. I am not tall and I do not have a gangly frame. I am 5’3”, and when my weight is appropriate I have an average and proportionate body shape. When my weight is where it should be, I like my body and my size. I especially like my height. However, after 7 years of much turmoil in 1999, I found myself weighing a solid 50 pounds more than I should. In 1999, I searched scripture for what God had to say about food, diligence, faithfulness and self-control. By applying those principles to my life, I lost and kept off 23 pounds. In 2002, I felt like it was time to begin an eating system that was right for me. After much prayer and research, I started doing the Weight Watcher’s point system, for eating. The program is do~able and successful because it is not a diet and gives you choices and responsibility, which create a life style rather than a setting you up for failure. Their system figures in fiber which is such an important element healthy eating. I will say right here that I did not and do not use the Weight Watcher's Tools for Living. These tools are bandages, and only give surface answers to what I found to be deep rooted issues where food is concerned. For that, I use the principles for food, diligence, faithfulness and self-control I have found in God’s, Tools for Living. In using His tools and the Weight Watcher’s point system, I took off the last 27 pounds in 2002.

That weight stayed off for nearly four years. I had foot surgery in 2006, that made walking (my everyday exercise) impossible for nearly a year. It has only been in the last few months that I can really walk with any ease. Consequently, I have put on ( I just got on the scale) 15.5 of those pounds. So, after my daughter and grandchildren leave and go back to Texas, after this really nice visit we are having right now, I am back on points and walking as I can. I will report on my success and maybe even journal some about this.

5. First, I want to say that while nothing can replace the practice of getting adequate amounts of sunshine, fresh air, exercise, rest, water and whole foods, to ensure good health, we need to examine the amount of essential nutrients we are receiving by the foods we do eat. For a vast amount of reasons from poor agriculture practices, to poor food processing, to the less than green environment we live in, we can not get everything we need and used to be able to receive through our food. However with careful research, both personally and medically, scientifically and through seeking and relying on the One Who created me to lead me, I have discovered the right brand and types of food supplements to take. I do not agree with all of the Shaklee products, and only use what I know is right for me. So, the 5th random thing about me is, I do use food supplements, and I use Shaklee. At this stage in my life I am having what I would call my own personal summers. :~) As long as I incorporate Shaklee's Energizing Soy Protein in my diet everyday, I rarely experience them. I can even drink coffee and tea with caffeine with no problem. Let me miss a day or two of the soy protein and it’s hot flashes all day long, and sleep is a little warmer than I like, too.

I used to struggle with an anemic condition and was on heart medicine. My last physical was typical of the physical exams I have had the last three years. All of my blood work, and we do the much more than just the CBC and a few panels, is great. All of the numbers you look at on my results are either right in the middle of the normal range, or slightly better than normal. Blood pressure is very good, too.

I do want to mention we can not replace the eating of adequate amounts of whole foods with the taking of food supplements, regardless of how high the quality. Also, though there are rave reviews regarding the loss of weight, particularly belly fat weight with Shaklee’s product called “Cinch”, and it apparently does have it’s ingredients derived from the same quality of food their other products are, I want to note it here that I am not in favor of the methods used by this product, nor the concept.

6. The last random thing I will list is a list of some things I would~will enjoy doing:

Learn to fly an helicopter.
Speak French with complete fluency.
Meet and perhaps even have conversation Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Meet and perhaps even have conversation with First Lady, Laura Bush.
Swim with Dolphins, I believe I mentioned that earlier.
Watch all of my grandchildren become the people God created them to be.
Travel some in France, Spain, Greece and of course... Britain.
See my son~in~law back on domestic soil.
Be involved in a true New Testament church, commonly known as "House Church".

Six people to tag because I'd love to hear their responses!

Barbara
Deborah
Jean
Kim
Mary
Tammy

Be blessed!