National Poetry Month

Understanding verse is not one of my strong points. But every now and then I run across a poem which really speaks to me. Therefore, in honor of National Poetry Month (April), I plan to post each day a poem I like.

"For poems are not, as people think, simply emotions (one has emotions early enough)—they are experiences."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

Funny article in opposition to the celebration.

Click on the time to comment.

Highschool Cheerleading

I made the team for five years. It was fun and I enjoyed it. This post is for Donna, who helps me *remember*

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Swan Coach House

Today the girls and I enjoyed a ladies luncheon at an historic Atlanta restaurant. We had a lovely time. The picture of the girls had too many shadows, so you will have to enjoy this one of the swan.

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Abdul Rahman

Is this trial a case of religious persecution or a test of the rule of law?

The news reports (Chicago Tribune and Houston Chronicle) are interesting. Chuck Colson chimes in at Breakpoint and TownHall.

Update: 3/28 The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence and the accused is seeking asylum in another country.

What do you think? Click on the time to comment.

Bible Meme

1)Who is my favorite Biblical personage, other than Jesus?
I tend to relate to the *little* people....like when reading about the exodus/wandering, I tried to imagine in which tribe I would be and how we would line up in *formation* Or in the NT, I pray that I would NOT be one of those conservative, culture-preserving Jewesses, but one of the ladies who attended Jesus, meeting his boat and gathering to hear his teaching.

2)Which is my favorite OT book?
In terms of which one I read most often, THE PSALMS, hands down!

3)Which is my least favorite OT book?
I probably dont refer enough to Song of Solomon :)

4)Which is my favorite non-gospel book of NT?
Probably Romans, because of its *controversy* Guess that makes me a type *C*

5) Which is my least favorite NT book?
Revelation, simply because I'm have trouble with the imagery. Must be a genetic defect.

6)Which is my favorite Bible verse (life verse)?
John 17:3 *And this is eternal life, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.*

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Grandparents


Gustie and Sheffield 1918


















Albert and Dorcas 1925


















Aren't these old photos interesting?
I clipped them from our family website.

Does your family have a website?

Click on the time to comment.

Or find me at my xanga.

Kitchen Meme

1. How many meals does most of your family eat at home each week? How many are in your family?

We eat most of our meals at home, although more have been out of late due to conflicting schedules. There are six in our family, but two are off at college.

2. How many cookbooks do you own?

I own too many cookbooks to count, since I started collecting as a teenager :) I have a nice Time-published set of cookbooks entitled Food of the World.

3. How often do you refer to a cookbook each week?

Less than I used to.

4. Do you collect recipes from other sources?

I collect recipes from all types of sources: friends, family, websites, food containers.

5. How do you store those recipes?

I have index card file boxes, a basket, and a spiral-bound *Family* cookbook.

6. When you cook, do you follow the recipe pretty closely, or do you use recipes primarily to give you ideas?

The first time I follow a recipe very closely, ie I measure. But after that, I may change it or follow it again exactly.

7. Is there a particular ethnic style or flavor that predominates in your cooking? If so, what is it?

No particular ethnic style. We like all types of food from boxed MacNCheese to gourmet five course meals.

8. What's your favorite kitchen task related to meal planning and preparation?

I like all the parts of feeding my family from coming up with the plan, preparing the plan, executing the plan, and redoing the plan.


9. What's your least favorite part?

My least favorite part is..... not have all the spots filled up around the table :)

10. Do you plan menus before you shop?

Sometimes and sometimes not. I am often persuaded to change my plan once I get to the store and find something else on sale. But I have also be known to drive a few extra miles to buy the precise ingredient for one of those elegant meals.

11. What are your three favorite kitchen tools or appliances?

My favorite kitchen tool is my food processor. Then my knives. Then the dishwasher, but I did live without one for three years.

12. If you could buy one new thing for your kitchen, money was no object, and space not an issue, what would you most like to have?

I would love two sets of Cutco knives.

13. Since money and space probably are objects, what are you most likely to buy next?

New sponges.

14. Do you have a separate freezer for storage?

Yes, we have an extra refrigerator in the garage as well as a separate freezer out there too.

15. Grocery shop alone or with others?

I have done both: once a week with all four daughters in tow, but right now I am mostly alone running in at least three times a week. I have learned to be more flexible with my meal planning based on the extra-curricular activities of the two highschoolers at home.


16. How many meatless main dish meals do you fix in a week?

At least one....I try to slip them in more often, but usually when hubby is NOT home for dinner.

17. If you have a decorating theme in your kitchen, what is it? Favorite kitchen colors?

I am lucky enough to have just had my kitchen re-wallpapered and painted, after 17 yrs of the same decor. I dont categorize it, but you might after viewing the photo on my xanga page.

18. What's the first thing you ever learned to cook, and how old were you?

Brownies....and I was 8 y o.

19. How did you learn to cook?

I learned to cook from my mother and watching others. I was fortunate to take some lessons in my late teens from Nathalie Dupree.

20. Tag two other people to play. Want to play? Click on the time to comment.

Sharp Weapons

Spurgeon's comments today on I Sam 13:20 are intriguing:

We might learn from our enemies if we would, and so make the Philistines sharpen our weapons.

Learning from our enemies is a dangerous enterprise, since one unless well-grounded might be persuaded to join their ranks. But nevertheless, today I will ponder learning from my enemies, identifying my weapons which need to be sharpened (axe, plowshare, coulter, and mattock). And then I will turn them over to the other side for sharpening? Isnt that interesting? There was no smith found througout all Israel....but all went down to the Philistines to sharpen....

First, however, I will beg the Holy Spirit to sharpen my zeal TODAY, so that I may seek whom I shall bless.

Imagine

Truth be known, I am not particularly gifted in the *imagination* realm. For example, I dont read fantasy/science fiction stuff. And I have never read C S Lewis' Narnia series. Gasp!

But borrowing a phrase from Spurgeon's devotional today, I am going to try and *let the thought of what life would be without His enhancing His preciousness* govern my imagination today.

Seriously. This should affect my actions.

Click on the time to comment. Or comment on my xanga site.

Hymns

I like to sing. And I especially like to sing hymns. It's my favorite part of worship, after hearing the Word preached, that is. I like to hear others sing, too.

I oftentimes use hymns for my devotions, so I was particularly glad to read Christopher Wordsworth's (nephew of William) quote: *It is the first duty of a hymn to teach sound docrine and thence save souls." One of my favorite evening worship formats is to learn about hymns, their writers and their tunes.

I learned Wordsworth's hymn O Day of Rest and Gladness to Lowell Mason's tune, Mendelbras.

Click on the time to tell me about one of your favorite hymns.

PS There was a posted dated 2/18/06, in which I answered Donna's Friday Five, but it vanished!

Voice Recital



DD#1 and her voice professor just after her wonderful performance. She sang the following eleven songs beautifully.















With Verdue Clad from The Creation by J Haydn
Bois epais by J B Lully
Chanson d'Amour by G Faure
Ouvre ton coeur by G Bizet
Gretchen am Spinnrade by F Schubert
Spirate, pur spirate by S Donaudy
Memories by C Ives
Talk About a Child by R Chenault
Willow Song fm The Ballad of Baby Doe by D Moore
Strictly Germ-Proof: Antiseptic BabyPeter by J Sacco
So anch'io la virtu magica fm Don Pasquale by Donizetti

Check us out on my xanga site. Or click on the time to comment :)

Prayer

Having finished a lengthy series of sermons on The Lord's Prayer, JCM exposited Luke 11:5-13 during yesterday's worship. This week I intend to study this parable in light of its ability to instruct my prayer life.

Last week I meditated on Paul's evangelistic sermon found in Acts 17. I was captivated by verses 30-31, which encapsulate the Gospel.

Click on the time to comment :)

Word Cloud



Find me at www.xanga.com/hiddenart

Or click on the time to comment :)

Remodeled



DH worked long and hard to paint, replace hardware, regrout, and basically spruce up this bathroom. Isnt he wonderful!!

Fours

Jobs
1)Dept Store Sales clerk
2)Congressional assistant
3)Banking Customer Service
4)Medical Office Manager

Movies
1)Gone With The Wind
2)Ground Hog Day
3)Home Movies
4)

Books
1)Bible
2)Etiquette
3)Dictionary
4)Cookbooks

Homes
1)Atlanta, GA
2)Hillsdale, MI
3)Alexandria, VA
4)Charleston, SC

TV Shows
1)House
2)24
3)So You Think You Can Dance
4)Sue Thomas FBI

Vacations
1)Monaco
2)St Simons Island, GA
3)Callaway Gardens, Pine Mtn, GA
4)Europe

Websites
1)ajc.com
2)accuweather.com
3)wabe.org/radio
4)bartleby.com

Foods
1)Coffee
2)Cheese
3)Chips
4)Salads

Tagged
0)Noel
1)Giles
2)Margaret
3)Vivian
4)PeggyDee

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WORD OF THE YEAR 2006

FOCUS

Allow me to be the first *lol* to admit that I am lacking in this area: focus. But every year, especially in Januarys, I renew my commitments and plod along. I look back, especially in Januarys, and assess myself with far less stringency than I should. Shame on me. Nevertheless, I hereby announce my 2006 intentions.

F stands for friendly
O stands for observant
C stands for creative
U stands for understanding
S stands for service

Click on the time to admit to your new year's resolution.

Birds of a feather

Will gather together.

Out of respect for Dr King, I am going to work today. I did read his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, focusing on the part about obeying just laws and disobeying unjust laws. Be sure and read Chuck Colson's article and references. And I found Richard Neuhaus's 2002 article in First Things rather interesting.

Click on the time to let me know what you think of MLK.

Blustery Day

The wind is so vocal today that I have not been inclined to turn on the radio, a normal Saturday afternoon pasttime while working around the house.

Reminds me of Pooh and that video my children enjoyed so much. :)

Unbelievers

Following are nine concepts which the unbeliever does not even know (won't admit) about his very own self!

1)He knows that God is there.
2)He knows who God is.
3)He knows that God is to be worshipped.
4)He knows that his idols are lies.
5)He knows what sin is and has a sense of guilt.
6)He know that sin deserves punishment.
7)He knows that sin is inexcusable.
8)He knows that he hates light and loves darkness.
9)He knows he is made in God's image.

For proof texts, read Romans 1, 2, 8 and John 3.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus,.... And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strenghtened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts 3: 13&16

May you, oh unbeliever, be healed (saved)!

Bring It On

I think I am finally ready to begin 2006. The holidays are behind me. The anniversary celebration recorded. And DD#4 celebrated her birthday. I am contemplating making a new year's resolution, but probably wont make it public. It's alway nice to turn over a new leaf and begin afresh though.

Back to walking. Just finished 3.5miles :) That's resolution enough.

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Twenty-five years of Love



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Happy 25th Anniversary






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Christmas Quartet



Hearing them sing together is the best Christmas present ever!

Brown Thrasher



Unusual for this bird to be at the feeder, as they are *ground feeders,* usually *thrashing* about the leaves underneath bushes. Hence, the name. At any rate, I captured just this frontal view which doesnt really do justice to the actual size of this bird. Ignore the splashes on the window panes as they are above my kitchen sink and impossible to keep pristine.

I hope to capture the Carolina wren one day. He sits on the deck railing and sings his heart out: his entire body warbling with his song.

Finally remembered to post the picture of the split pea soup over on my xanga site.

Click on the time to comment.

Jehoida

I commend to your attention this article at Breakpoint.

Powerful!

Click on the time and let me know if you have ever read anything by Moore.

Work and Joy

Each day I live I thank the Lord
I do the work I love;
And in it find a rich reward,
All price and praise above.
For few may do the work they love,
The fond unique employ,
That fits them as a hand a glove,
And gives them joy.

Oh gentlefolk, do you and you
Who toil for daily hire,
Consider that the job you do
Is to your heart's desire?
Aye, though you are to it resigned,
And will no duty shirk,
Oh do you in your private mind
Adore your work?

Twice happy man whose job is joy,
Whose hand and heart combine,
In brave and excellent employ
As radiantly as mine!
But oh the weary, dreary day,
The wear and tear and irk
Of countless souls who cannot say:
'I love my work.'

Robert W. Service

Boredom



There is no reason why you should be bored when you can be otherwise. But if you find yourself sitting in the hedgerow with nothing but weeds, there is no reason for shutting your eyes and seeing nothing, instead of finding what beauty you may in the weeds.
Emily Post


I have always thought that the statement *I'm bored* reveals more about the speaker than the situation at hand. But today I have found a tool to share (probably only with my own children) which explains precisely what to do when that phrase does run across your mind.

A Very Special Artist



Check out her work.

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Pumpkin Soup

Here's yet another picture of a soup I've made this month.

I had some for lunch with brown bread.

That *wedge* in the picture was my dessert:

Brie stuffed with fig preserves and roasted, salted pecans and baked in puff pastry.


Yum!



Here's the link for the recipe.

Stay tuned for more photos because the split pea will be served next week as well as turkey noodle.

We Gather Together



Eight adults were in the dining room. The kitchen table was set for five first cousins.

Italian White Bean and Sausage Soup




Yummy and different! Check out this recipe from Janet who is the sister of Donna. I shared this with my office friends, who gave it rave reviews.

Click on the time to comment or at see my xanga site.

Family Poetry

Absence

With leaden foot Time creeps along
While Delia is away:
With her, not plaintive was the song,
Nor tedious was the day.

Ah, envious Pow'r! reverse my doom;
Now double thy career,
Strain ev'ry nerve, stretch ev'ry plume,
And rest them when she's here!

Richard Jago
English Cleric
1715 - 1781

Wonder if we're related?

Magnolia


I would like to plant a magnolia in my back yard. Click on the time to tell me about a favorite tree in your yard.

Turkey Stock

Today I am slow-roasting a turkey. I know it's a little early. Thanksgiving is still five days hence. But I will need the stock. So, after pulling all the meat off the bones this evening, I will freeze the meat for later use. I will put all the bones and skin in a large (8qt) stock pot and add two carrots, one very large white onion, two stalks celery, a clove of garlic, a few peppercorns, and enough water to cover all that. After bringing it to a boil, I will reduce the heat and let in simmer four hours with the lid cocked. After it cools downs a bit, I will drain the stock, toss out the bones/skins etc, and place the remaining liquid in the refrigerator to chill. The next day, I will skim the hardened fat off the top of the stock and relish in the taste of homemade turkey stock.

Now you are wondering what I will do with that stock. I need at least six cups for the cornbread dressing and four cups for the pearl onion gravy. Oh, and six cups for the pumpkin soup. That only leaves a bit for turkey noodle soup or turkey tetrazzini, two of my favorite Thanksgiving leftovers.

Click on the time to make a comment or ask a question.

Thanksgiving Blessings

Today I made two dozen of these treats. Plus I roasted some Georgia pecans for the upcoming holidays.

Fun website for stirring up creative and organizational juices.

How ready are you for next Thursday?

Onlookers by Lucy Shaw

Behind our shield of health, each
of us must sense another's anguish
second-hand; we are agnostic
in the face of dying. So Joseph
felt, observer of the push
and splash of birth, and even Mary,
mourner, under the cross's arm.

Only their son, and God's,
in bearing all our griefs
felt them first-hand, climbing
himself our rugged hill of pain.
His nerves, enfleshed, carried
the messages of nails, the tomb's
chill. His ever-open wounds
still blazon back to us the penalty
we never bore, and heaven
gleams for us more real,
crossed with that human blood.

Wow! Have you ever had a poem grab the the first time you read it? To me it usually takes reading over and over to comprehend most poems. Furthermore, there is a Flannery O'Connor quote after the title in the book Sacrifice of Praise where I found Onlookers.

Sickness is a place...where there's no company, where nobody can follow.

Suffice it to say that I am praying for those who are ill and infirm today.

Click on the time to comment and leave the name of a sick friend who needs prayer.

Hillsdale in the News

Wish I could have been at this dinner party.

Kudos to Michael Sessions

Isaiah's Job

Albert Jay Nock is the author of a very insightful article written in 1936. Carmon mentions it. And to you, I commend it as well.

Be encouraged :)

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Integration

In the second to the last paragraph of Mrs. Schaeffer's chapter entitled *Integration,* she states: 'This true integration comes only when man is integrated with the Trinity.'

I am mildly intrigued by Rosa Parks

O Lord, help me to see people the way You do.

Quick Tortellini and Spinach Soup


2 Tbs olive oil
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 large onion, minced
2 tsp dried Italian herbs
13 Cups chicken broth
13 oz spinach/cheese tortellini
30 oz crush tomatoes, packed in puree
10 oz fresh spinach, coarsely chopped



Heat olive oil in large stop pot over medium high heat. Sautee onion and garlic, until translucent. Add herbs. Stir well. Add broth and bring to a boil. Stir in tortellini. Simmer 10-12 mins until tortellini is cooked. Stir in tomatoes and simmer another 5 mins. Add spinach. Cover and turn off heat.

Ladle soup into warm bowls and top liberally with grated parmesan cheese.


This was sooooo easy and sooooo yummy on our first very cool night of Fall. Click time to comment :)

Mrs. Schaeffer's quote for the day:
*Food and meal-times shared have always been thought of as a closer kind of communication than simply talking to people, without eating together.*

Color and Organization

This post is actually a test of my ability to add pictures to my site. You're looking at a book shelf in my office and the canvas baskets are a tool to help with organization. A before picture would really add to the explanation. Not sure if I have one. This Fall has seen some accomplishment in weeding out the unnecessary clutter. Click on the time to comment on one area where you have succeeded in organization!

Dana

Bold : Irish


Charming, witty, original and idealistic you have a creative and inventive mind with great intuition. Your broad vision, perceptive powers and compassion gives you an instinctive understanding of peoples needs. You are a natural leader who has a talent for inspiring and teaching others and always display fairness, honesty and integrity. You are always seeking a new challenge for your vast creative potential.


Click on the time to post a comment about your name.

Dessert

One Marble Brownie
Scoops, Breyers Coffee Ice Cream
Drizzle, Hershey's Chocolate Syrup

Enjoy after a long day of cleaning, scrubbing, and re-organizing.

Click on the time to comment about one of your favorite desserts.

Chicken Ritz

Dip boneless, skinless chicken breasts in melted butter. Then dredge in a crumb mixture which is made from 1 lb of Ritz Crackers crumbled and stirred with 1/2 cup grated Parmeson Cheese.

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes on foil-lined baking sheet in an oven which has been preheated to 325.



Planned-over meal from this recipe: Homemade Chick Fil-A Sandwich

On a fresh bun, layer mayo, lettuce, tomato, and pickle before adding warm 1/4 chicken breast. Serve with chips and coleslaw.




Many moons ago, this chicken was served with a sauce, which I never prepare now. But for the sake of posterity, here it is - 1 can condensed mushroom soup and 8 oz sour cream. Stir together and warm over low heat.

News Flash

The most important thing that one can do this week is sit under and listen to the preaching of the Word of God. What was proclaimed in the sermon you heard this morning?

Despite the fact that I heard lectures all weekend from some of the most important Christian theologians/preachers/evangelists in the US, despite the fact that a Supreme Court nominee is being questioned for his *fitness*, despite the fact that two of my daughters participated in the GSU Honor Chorus this weekend, NOTHING surpassed the sermon I heard on the exposition of the Word of God, found in Amos.

Pray that in this time of famine of sound hearing and preaching, which represents God's judgment on our apostate culture, that many more would be convicted not only to hear and but also to preach.

Click on the time to post a comment. Thanks

Labor Day*s*

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work. Exodus 20:9

Dont get me wrong; I love Monday holidays...no mail to sift through. But do turn your attention to Chuck Colson's commentary today. Be mindful that being *able* to work six days and rest on the seventh is a blessing.

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Spurgeon

*But wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him; for unfaithful, untrusting waiting, is but an insult to the Lord.* Morning 8/30

I despise the thought that I could be labeled unfaithful, untrusting, or insulting to my Savior. But in fact, I have acted as such. Forgive me, Lord.

Eureka

Used to express triumph upon finding or discovering something.

I am so tickled that I thought to wear a pair of 20 year old glasses, while I work on my computer. Now I can see without holding my bifocals at a crazy angle!

Let me explain. Ordinarily I wear contacts: one for distance and one for close-up for the entire day. Also, I own a pair of prescription bifocals, which I wear for approximately one hour in the early morning and one hour in the evening. But I have noticed that the bifocal glasses are not comfortable to wear while working on the computer. If I take them off completely, the screen is a blur. If I wear just a set of reading glasses, the screen is still a blur. Hmmm What about those very old glasses in which the distance prescription is too weak. TaaDaa!

Are you impressed that I could find those *old* glasses. What a pack rat!!

Click on the time to leave a comment. One day I will figure out how to change that>

Sermon Recap

*Lead me not into temptation* Part Two was today's sermon topic. This is the sixth petition in the Lord's Prayer. I know I have studied this prayer before: when I was very young and memorized it; when I was catechized as a teenager; once in a Ladies Bible Study; with my children; and now under the care of a very fine teaching elder. Just last week at a funeral when the congregation prayed this together, the words were felt even more deeply.

When I say those five words, I am asking the Lord to 1)keep me from temptation (keep me from caving in) ref John 17:15; 2)keep me strong in the face of temptation (make me aware of Your presence immediately) ref John 17:11 and 3)recover me (sanctify) quickly from the effects of temptation ref John 17:17

Hear the Word of the Lord!

Favorite Quote

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.


I have lots of favorites, but this one came to mind rather quickly when I was reading Donna's Friday Feast.

Garlic Cream Cheese

















8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temp)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 lg cloves garlic, pressed (added 2024 - I use as many as 4 now)

Mash together all ingredients. I use a potato masher :)

Serve as sandwich spread; it especially enhances tomato sandwiches or BLTs.

Or serve as cheese spread with crackers or melba toast.

Fourth Petition:Daily Bread

Our pastor is working through a series of sermons on The Lord's Prayer.

The indepth study is fascinating, always capturing my attention.

As we are contemplating *Give us this day our daily bread", we are reminded of Luther's Smaller Catechism explanation of this *bread*


Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

That is some multi-grain nutrition packed bread....unlike the white bread flavor delivered from most pulpits today....and served at most dinner tables.

Today I praise God the bountiful mercies he has displayed on me and my family in the form of daily bread. Amen and Amen

Slow and Steady

Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment. They expect you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it.

How Do People See You?

Pictures

See the family on my daughter's xanga site dated June 22, 2005

Click on the time to leave a comment.

Check out the meaning of my name.

Were you wondering?

You Have A Type A- Personality

A- You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Click on the time to leave a comment and let me know how you feel about my personality :)

Father's Day Menu 2005

Marinated Steak Salad
Pesto Pasta
Steamed Cauliflower
Herb Rolls

Merlot/Iced Tea

Chocolate Pie


There will be nine of us around the dining room table after church. We will tell a favorite story about our fathers. The *celebration* started early in the week by serving favorite meals: 1)BBQ ribs, steamed cabbage, corn on cob 2)Boiled Shrimp, Spinach Salad (mangoes&mushrooms) 3)Pizza Night 4)Movie Night (popcorn&Batman) 5)Favorite B'fast: French Toast & Bacon.

What do you do when the way to your man's heart is NOT through the stomach?

Comments allowed, by clicking on the *time*

See my xanga site.

Memorial Day Feast

Grilled Babyback Pork Ribs w/BBQ Sauce
Black Bean Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Coleslaw
French Bread

Iced Tea
Margaritas

Rice Krispie Treats

We open and close our summer with this traditional meal. Part of the celebration is spending all afternoon grilling. Sure, there is probably a faster way to cook the ribs (parboiling), but then you'd miss all the *visitin* (sharing memories). See my Xanga site.

Be Thou My Vision

The girls sang this anthem for church today. G started them out (soprano solo); then all four unison; then an soprano/alto verse; ending with a three part verse (SAT) Wish you could have heard them.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art--
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son,
Thou in my dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Rule of all.

Irish hymn (8th Century)
attributed to St Patrick

Mrs. Schaeffer

My blog is named after her wonderful book. And this week Ravi Zacharias's e-zine is honoring those who have gone before us. Take a moment to read this article and be inspired.

Family Dinner

Grilled Salmon with Honey Glaze
Steamed Spinach with Mushrooms &Garlic
Steamed Yellow Corn on the Cob
Chiabatti
Glen Ellen Chardonnay

Sooo yummy. All four daughters helped prepare this meal. The dinnertable conversation was priceless. I highly recommend eating together. Afterwards we had a mini art show, as dd#2 had several paintings framed and so, we ooohhhed and aaaahhhhed.

Wedding Day Brunch Menu

Southern Grits Casserole
Fruit Salad
Sweet Rolls
Croissants
Shaved Ham
Chicken Nuggets
Broccoli Salad

Mimosas
Bloody Marys
Coffee

Brownies
Lemon Squares

Had a wonderful time preparing this menu for sixty guests. We had enough leftovers for another meal! That's what makes hostessing worthwhile.

Pimento Cheese
















White Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 18 oz grated (Cabot)
Diced Pimentos, drained (canned veggie aisle - usually) 9 oz
Garlic, freshly pressed -  two cloves
Sweet Onion, finely grated - one heaping tablespoon
Mayonnaise (no sugar - look for Duke's) - probably a full cup, but start with 2/3 C and add until mixture stirs easily (that will make it easier to spread when chilled)

Call me if you have any problems.

Marriage Blessing

O God of love, Thou hast established marriage for the welfare and happiness of mankind. Thine was the plan, and only with Thee can we work it out with joy. Thou hast said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a help meet for him." Now our joys are doubled since the happiness of one is the happiness of the other. Our burdens now are halved, for when we share them, we divide the load.

Bless this man. Bless him as provider of nourishment and raiment, and sustain him in all the exactions and pressures of his battle for bread. May his strength be her protection, his character her boast and her pride, and may he so live that she will find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs.

Bless this woman. Give her kindness that will make her great. Give her a deep sense of understanding and a great faith in Thee. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that is found in holding fast the things that never age.

Teach them that marriage is not living merely for each other; it is two uniting and joining hands to serve Thee. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and the other things shall be added unto them.

May they not expect that perfection of each other that belongs alone to Thee. May they help each other in their weaknesses, be swift to praise each other's points of comeliness and strength, and see each other through a lover's kind and patient eyes.

Now, Gracious Lord, bless them and develop their characters as they walk together. Give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them humane, enough failure to keep their hands clenched tightly in Thine, and enough success to make them sure they walk with Thee.

May they never take each other's love for granted, but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, "Out of all this world you have chosen me!"

When life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then, as now, hand in hand, still thanking God for each other. May they serve Thee happily, faithfully, together, until at last, one shall lay the other into the arms of God.

This we ask through Jesus Christ, great lover of our souls. Amen

Soapbox

Why We Chose The Heiskell School
March 22, 2005


Before I answer the “assigned question,” let me first thank you all for being here tonight. I suspect that you, committee members, have “volunteered” for service with SACS and I commend you for such a sacrificial way of spending your limited “free” time. Expending energy to improve education in Georgia is a grand way to place a stake in the future. I want to thank The Heiskell School for participating in the accreditation process. Submitting to this type of peer review is what makes you stand head and shoulders above others.

So, why did Ken and Dana Jago choose The Heiskell School? Precisely because it was SACS accredited! Honest! In a nutshell, about 18 years ago, when it came time to seek a partner in rearing our girls in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and it came down to choosing between Christian School A and Christian School B, the deciding factor was SACS accreditation, which Heiskell has maintained for many years.

But if I can hope for your attention for just a bit longer, I would like to answer an additional question – and that is, “Why did we continue to send our children to The Heiskell School for sixteen years?

In these days of micromanagement, parents have succumbed to micromanaging their children’s schooling as well. But here at Heiskell, we parents don’t have to micromanage. Our four daughters (God’s Most Valuable Players) were successful here and have continued to achieve success through their high school and college years precisely because Heiskell remains committed and steadfast to their foundational goal of training up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Prov 22:6) Education has been their business and excellence their standard. Their mission “to glorify God” is clear.

(Story about PTFs? And hearing the commitment/mission reiterated.)

Training a child is a long row to hoe. It is an act of faith, and therefore, somewhat difficult to explain. But I can offer a practical answer in the three R’s. And those are not reading, writing, and arithmetic. They are remembrance, recognition, and realization.

As promised in John 14, the Holy Spirit continually reminds Ken and me of God’s commands and Jesus’ teachings. He makes us remember many of the things that the Bible says and the Bible speaks about everything. We wanted our children to remember the things of the Bible, too (Deut 6:5-6). At The Heiskell School our children were taught continually what God’s Word says about whatever situation they might face, which He has brought back to their remembrance time and time again, especially now that they are older and into their teenaged years. This is why we chose a Christian school as our partner.

Then we recognized that Biblical principles (teachings and commands) were taught at The Heiskell School, where all subjects are taught from God’s point of view. It is a Biblical worldview. It’s not just math, science, and history with a few Bible verses thrown in. We recognized that Heiskell teachers know and serve the Lord. We recognized an atmosphere here that is protected by God because it is devoted to His will. These things are only recognized with spiritual eyes (I Cor 2:12)

Finally, we were able year after year to realize our educational goals at The Heiskell School. This was not a quick process. It involved the completion of one day at a time, one school year at a time. This might be a good time to tell you that we live 30 miles away from Heiskell, so each year we really did count the cost. We had realization that our decision was right because we saw our daughters growing in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:40). Through thick and thin, we were encouraged to keep our commitment to Christian schooling by both the teachers and the administrators, in addition to fellow parents.

Indeed, by using the Bible as the standard of excellence, by employing born again believers to teach knowledge from God’s perspective and by instilling Christian character traits as model behavior, The Heiskell School has been our faithful partner as Ken and I continue to prepare our children for a life of earthly service to their heavenly master. I look forward to their being able to make wise judgments for their own families and exercise dominion as Christian leaders in the 21st century.


Thank you.

What Life Have You?

What life have you if you have not life together?
There is no life that is not in community,
And no community not lived in praise of GOD.
Even the anchorite who meditates alone,
For whom the days and nights repeat the praise of GOD,
Prays for the Church, the Body of Christ incarnate.
And now you live dispersed on ribbon roads,
And no man knows or cares who is his neighbor
Unless his neighbor makes too much disturbance,
But all dash to and fro in motor cars,
Familiar with the roads and settled nowhere
Nor does the familiy even move about together,
But every son would have his motorcycle,
And daughters ride away on casual pillions.

Much to cast down, much to build, much to restore;
Let the work not delay, time and the arm not waste:
Let the clay be dug from the pit, let the saw cut the stone,
Let the fire not be quenched in the forge.

T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)
American-born poet and Noel laureate
From *The Rock*

Address Change

I've been feeling a little ornery these days. Please accept my apologies, if I have hurt your feelings. This poem is one I learned when my children were younger. I am relearning it today.


I knew a woman whose name was Horner
Who used to live on Grumble Corner;
Grumble Corner in Crosspatch town
And she never was seen without a frown.

She grumbled at this, and she grumbled at that,
She growled at the dog. She growled at the cat.
She grumbled at morning. She grumbled at night.
And to grumble and growl was her chief delight.

She grumbled so much at her husband that he
Began to grumble as well as she.
And all the children, wherever they went,
Reflected their parents' discontent.

If the sky was dark and betokened with rain,
Then Mrs. Horner was sure to complain.
And if there was not a cloud about,
She grumbled because of a threatened drought.

Her meals were never to suit her taste--
She grumbled at having to eat in haste.
The bread was poor, or the meat was tough--
Or else she hadn't had half enough.

No matter how hard her husband would try
To please his wife, with scornful eye
She'd look around and then with a scowl
At something or other she'd begin to growl.

One day as I walked down the street,
My old acquaintance I chanced to meet;
Whose face was without the look of care
And the ugly frown that had drifted there.

"I may be mistaken" perhaps I said
As after saluting I turned my head!
"But it is, and it isn't the Mrs. Horner
Who used to live on Grumble Corner."

I met her next day and I met her again;
In melting weather and in pelting rain.
When stocks were up, and when stocks were down,
But a smile, somehow, had replaced the frown.

It puzzled me much, and so one day,
I seized her hand in a friendly way and said,
"Mrs. Horner, I'd like to know
What can have happened to change you so?"

She laughed a laugh that was good to hear;
For it told of a conscience, calm and clear.
And she said with none of her old-time drawl,
"Why I've changed my residence, that is all.

"Yes," said Horner, "It wasn't healthy on Grumble Corner"
And so, I've moved; t'was a change complete,
"And you will find me now
On Thanksgiving Street."

For the lovers of Almond Flavoring

Plantation Almond Tea

3 family sized tea bags steeped in 8C boiling water for 15 mins. Sweeten with 1.5 to 2 C sugar. Stir until all of sugar is dissolved. Add 1/2 C freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, and 1 tsp pure almond extract (no imitations, please!) Add cold water to make one gallon (about 7 more cups). Serve over ice with a sprig of mint.

Lately I have been enjoyed Bigelow's English Breakfast Tea. It's better than Twinings. I drink my tea black, while I eat a banana. Yum. Or sometimes I will have a Power Bar. I like the Oatmeal Raisin ones.

What did you have for breakfast today?

Birthday Dinner

Today is Vivian's 17th birthday and here's what we're having for dinner:

Three Color Salad (basil, sliced tomatoes, mozzarella)

Pork Chops (stuffed with feta and spinach)
Risotto
Baby Bellas
Asparagus
Italian Merlot

Chocolate Fudge Cake a la Cheesecake Factory

Jehovah Tsidkenu
by Robert Murray McCheyne
Scottish Presbyterian Minister

I once was a stranger to grace and to God,
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.

I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage,
Isaiah's wild measure and John's simple page;
But e'en when they pictured the blood sprinkled tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me.

Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
I wept when the waters went over His soul;
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu - 'twas nothing to me.

When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,
Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die;
No refuge, no safety in self could I see--
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Savior must be.

My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;
My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came
To drink at the fountain, life giving and free--
Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.

Jehovah Tsidkenu! My treasure and boast,
Jehovah Tsidkenu! I ne'er can be lost;
In Thee I shall conquer by flood and by field
My cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield!

Even treading the valley, the shadow of death
This watchword shall rally my faltering breath;
For while from life's fever my God sets me free
Jehovah Tsidkenu my death-song shall be.

(Tsidkenu is Hebrew for The Lord our Righteousness)

Meditations Upon an Egg by John Bunyan

The egg's no chick by falling from the hen;
Nor man a Chrisitan, till he's born again.
The egg's at first contained in the shell;
Men, afore grace, in sins and darkness dwell.
The egg, when laid, by warmth is made a chicken,
And Christ, by grace, those dead in sin doth quicken.
The egg, when first a chick, the shell's its prison;
So's flesh to the soul, who yet with Christ is risen.
The shell doth crack, the chick doth chirp and peep,
The flesh decays, as men do pray and weep.
The shell doth break, the chick's at liberty,
The fleshhh falls off, the soul mounts up on high
But both do not enjoy the self-same plight;
The soul is safe, the chick now fears the kite.

But chicks from rotten eggs do not proceed,
Nor is a hypocrrite a saint indeed.
The rotten egg, though underneath the hen,
If crack'd, stinks, and is loathsome unto men.
Nor doth her warmth make what is rotten sound;
What's rotten, rotten will at last be found.
The hypocrite, sin has him in possession,
He is a rotten egg under profession.

Some eggs bring cockatrices; and some men
Seem hatch'd and brooded in the viper's den.
Some eggs bring wild-fowls; and some men there be
As wild as are the wildest fowls that flee.
Some eggs bring spiders, and some men appear
More venom'd than the worst of spiders are.
Some eggs bring piss-ants, and some seem to me
As much for trifles as the piss-ants be.
Thus divers eggs do produce divers shapes,
As like some men as monkeys are like apes.
But this is but an egg, were it a chick,
Here had been legs, and wings, and bones to pick.

Touche. See Carmon's blog Feb 5 entry for context.

El Jaleo after Sargent

Ice Storm

No one is going anywhere around here today. We are *iced in* That's what happens in the Atlanta area. More than snow, ice is the cause for school closings etc. This particular ice storm is mild. No loss of electricity, for example. Check out our conditions at my favorite weather site.

There is a possibility that my gardenia bushes will be damaged. These four foot tall bushes flanking my front door are laying flat on the ground. :(

Another Fabulous Sermon

I am so blessed to sit under sound preaching: true exposition of Scripture where Christ is the focus, not the preacher, not the choir, not the decor.

Today's verses were Luke 9:46-50 with a fair amount mentioned from the parallel passage in Mark 10:32-45. We were taught about the nature of *greatness* by comparison and contrast with the life of the disciples (specifically James and John) with the life of Christ. The true and incomparable greatness of Jesus in light of the obvious lack of greatness in the apostles tells all.

I was particularly struck when James and John said *we are able* (Mk10:39) I chuckled and then became embarassed.

Please pray for my pastor. He has been selected to speak at our state pro-life rally to be held this Friday at the Capitol. The original speaker had to decline at the last minute because he is speaking at the Inauguration. Wow.

More Decorating

Recently a frame was chosen for the oil painting which will be hung above the piano in the living room. The canvas is 24"x36". The frame is large and is capable of holding onto the dancer's movements, so one's head doesnt spin when entering the room.

Deep Dark Chocolate Cake

I took this cake to a church dinner recently and am posting the recipe for those who asked.

1 3/4 C flour
1 C boiling water
2 C sugar
2 eggs
3/4 C cocoa
1 C milk (or water)
1/2 C oil
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Stir in boiling water. (Batter will be very thin) Pour into greased and floured 13x9x2 pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes. Cool 30 minutes then frost.

Frosting

1 1/2 C XXX sugar
8 T butter
3/4 C cocoa
1/3 C milk or water or coffee

Blend at high speed with whisk/beater until smooth and spreadable.

Check out an article about my cooking. Under features, click *local flavor*

Birthday Girl

Yesterday was my youngest daughter's 15th birthday. She really has matured into quite a young lady. She has definite opinions. I like that personality trait, even if I dont always agree with them. She gave a tremendous speech at her 8th grade graduation last May, which prompted me to encourage her to take a debate class. She clued me into the Discovery Health Challenge. Might be a good way to help me stay this course.

Birthday Dinner

Roast Lamb
Steamed Asparagus
Steamed Red and Yellow Peppers
Orzo

Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Cake

Pot Providence

Weekly after church there is a congregational dinner for those who want to stay plus visitors are always invited. I like to bring fresh vegetables, as those always seem to be in short supply.
This week I *supplied* a spinach salad (mushrooms, mandarin oranges, vinagrette); steamed carrots; brussel sprouts in lemon sauce, AND (drum roll please) homemade chocolate cake.

Today's fashion flare is a new brooch. You know, those large, gaudy looking ones that are so stylish now. Mine is full of green stones. It reminds me of my great aunt, Beulah! aka Baba. I wore it on a purple wool flannel jacket with matching pleated skirt, green apple-colored silk turtleneck, and a 35 year old silk scarf (greens, pinks, purples). Where is the digital camera when you really need one?

New Years Day Dinner

Roast Pork
Black-eyed Peas w/ChowChow
Sweet Potatoes (no sugar,no pecans, no marshmallows!)
Collard Greens w/pepper sauce
Macaroni and Cheese (homemade)

Cornbread w/real butter
Sorghum Syrup

Tea (unsweet!)

Champagne

I am wearing black pinwale cordoruy pants with a boldly striped French blue/white blouse, accented with the black onyx/silver jewelry I received from my husband for Christmas.

Sage Advice

*Do all you can with what you have in the time you have in the place you are.*

Just heard Nkosi Johnson in an interview with Jim Wooten on NPR. I wonder about this youngster.

Best I can tell this quote is from John Wesley

Do all the good you can

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can

At all the times you can

To all the people you can

As long as you ever can.

Check out my other site.

Salmagundi

Yesterday I took a respite from the ordinary day and invited a friend for lunch. I set the table in the dining room, using china, crystal, sterling flatware, linen napkins. Are you beginning to get the picture? Classical music was playing in the background. We talked about topics of interest to both of us and made a pact to get together again soon.

We lunched on salmagundi. I had a nice time.

Chocolate Cherry Trifle

One 8x8" brownie square (or other dry chocolate cake)
4 C boiled custard (or vanilla pudding)
4 oz cherry preserves
3-4 Tbs cherry liqueur
1/2 C slivered almonds, toasted
15 oz cherry pie filling(or fresh, pitted cherries, lots)
4 C whipped cream (2 C heavy cream whipped with 2 T xxxsugar until stiff)

In a deep glass dish, place bite sized pieces of cake or brownie. Drizzle with liqueur. Spread cherry preserves as a thin layer. Cover with pudding. Spread a layer of cherry pie filling or use lots of fresh pitted cherries. Sprinkle a few toasted almonds. Repeat the process until all the ingredients are used. Top with a thick layer of whipped creme to seal the trifle. Make decoration on top with cherries and almonds. Cover with saran and refrigerate overnight.

Boiled Custard
(from Joy of Cooking)

4 C milk, scalded
4 egg yolks
1/2 C sugar
1/4 tsp salt

In a double boiler, slowly add the slightly beaten egg yolks to the warm milk. Stir in the sugar and salt. Cook the custard over (not in) boiling water, stirring constantly. The custard should not be allowed to boil at any time. Do not expect it to be as firm as baked custard. It is more like a thick custard sauce. Again stir constantly until it begins to thicken. This takes longer than one would like. Remove from heat. As it cools, beat to release the steam. Before chilling, add flavoring, such as 1 tsp vanilla ( or rum or dry sherry).

Brownies

4 oz unsweetened bakers chocolate
2 C sugar
1 C butter
2 C flour
4 eggs
1 C pecans, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla

Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Remove from heat. Add sugar. Stir. Add eggs one at the time, stirring well after each. Add flour and salt. Stir. Add nuts. Stir. Add vanilla. Stir. Bake in two 8x8" prepared pans at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Pound Cake












1 lb butter
3 C sugar
8 oz cream cheese, cut into chunks
6 eggs
3 C flour, sifted
1 Tbs vanilla extract

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add two eggs, then a cup of flour, then a few chunks of cream cheese beating slowing in the mixer all the while. Repeat the process until all the eggs, cream cheese, and flour are blended into a thick batter. Add vanilla. Put thick batter into a prepared tube or bundt pan. Start in cold oven. Bake 1.5 hrs at 300 degrees.

Cool on wire rack for just a few minutes gently loosing the edges. Invert onto wire rack as soon as possible. Do not leave for any length of time in the pan as the cake will continue to cook and be too dry. Wrap in saran while still warm.

Trifle

Every hostess needs to perfect this elegant dessert for three reasons:

1. It can be made ahead.
2. It is easy to prepare.
3. It makes a pretty presentation.

The basis of this particular trifle is a leftover 8" square brownie cake which has been in my freezer for several months. Even though today is Saturday, I am thinking about this dessert for Tuesday. On hand I have the kirsch (cherry liqueur), fruit preserves, and toasted almonds. I will purchase some fresh cherries on Monday and perhaps a can of thickened pie cherries for backup. I will make a rich, boiled custard and store until ready to assemble. The whipping cream will be done at the last minute. For this task, I highly recommend chilling the mixing bowl and beaters.

If you have time, read this article.

Coconut Cake

Three part entry follows: yellow cake, coconut filling, white icing.

Comments are now enabled on this blog by clicking on the time.

There is nothing like

awaking early, before dawn, before anyone else in the household begins to stir, and reading Scripture. Psalms 25, 35, 55, 85, 115, 145.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Test Post

This is a nominal entry to see if the change to my template to allow comments was successful. There was so much to say and do since my last post, but each day went by before I had a chance to express myself publically.

Back in Business

This theological stuff is just going to have to take a back seat to cooking and recipes right now. Although chapters 9 through 14 of Mrs. Schaeffer's book get less attention from me, I do intend to work through them.

For over twenty years I have owned and used a KitchenAid mixer. I love to bake cakes. I started cooking when I was eight years old. Today I received a replacement part (wire whisk) which is going to make Thanksgiving and Christmas meals easier to prepare.

Look for my recipes over the coming week: Yellow Cake, Coconut Filling, Seven Minute Icing, Pound Cake, Boiled Custard, Whipped Cream. Maybe I will throw in some non-sweet ones like Cranberry Sauce, Cornbread Dressing, and Mushrooms and Pearl Onions side dish.

Applying Divinely-revealed Political Proverbs

Number Two
Sanctity of Human Life

Find out how your representative(s) vote on legislation pertaining to abortion and euthanasia. Think about those in authority who have influence in these areas, ie your physician. Do you know where abortions are performed in the county where you live?

Often times leaders will side step voicing their opinions on abortion and euthanasia, saying that they dont have the jurisdiction or opportunity (for voting.) However, it IS a good litmus test.

Check out Dr. Grant's blog and sign the petition at the American Family Association.

Do you know anyone who lives and votes in Pennsylvania?

Applying Divinely-revealed Political Proverbs

Number One
I hope and pray that each and every one of the newly elected and re-elected officials all over the United States would publically 1) pledge allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ and 2)covenant with God to govern solely in terms of God's revealed law.

Proverbs 28:4-5

I recommend that you read Parker Hudson's The President.

Thankful Thursdays

Today's blog highlight is Kelly. So between Marvelous Mondays and Friday Fives, I should have entries fairly often.

Now, which one of y'all can come over and give me a lesson in setting up my sidebars?

Post Lunar Eclipse

Just thought I would post a poem by St Augustine. I had always heard the last line, but never the context. So, in response to Linda's Marvelous Mondays, I commented on God's wonders in the lunar eclipse. And this prayer seems to fit the marvel.

O God, by whose laws the poles revolve, the stars follow their courses.
The sun rules the day and the moon presides over the night;
And all the world maintains, as far as this world of sense allows,
The wondrous stability of things by means of the order and recurrences of seasons:
Through the days by the changing of light and darkness.
Through the months by the moon's progressions and declines,
Through the years by the successions of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter,
Through the cycles by the completion of the Sun's course,
Through the great eras of time by the return of the stars to their starting points.
God of life, There are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and wear us down;
When the road seems dreary and endless, The skies grey and threatening;
When our lives have no music in them and our hearts are lonely.
And our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light.
We beseech you; Turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise.
Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in you.

Pumpkin Soup

Nothing says *home*

better than soup.





1 small onion, very finely diced
6 T flour
6T butter(real!)
6 C pureed pumpkin (do not used canned pumpkin)
6 C chicken stock
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 C milk (optional)
salt, white pepper, to taste

In a large stock pot, saute onion in butter. Add flour to make a roux and cook 3-4 minutes until gently browned. Add chicken stock, stirring constantly with whisk. Add pumpkin and spices. Season to taste. Heat until just before boiling. You may stop here and continue later. Refrigerate. PS-I rarely add the milk, but it does create a creamier soup, if that is what you prefer.
I garnish this soup with a dolop of sour cream, roasted pumpkin seed and tiny parsley *flower*

The rest of this Fall menu can consist of turkey sandwich on dark pumpernickel, slathered with homemade cranberry sauce. Or on the lighter side, my favorite Fall Salad-mixed greens, with diced apples, cottage cheese, raisins, celery, sunflowers seeds, and vinagrette.

As I reread Mrs. Schaeffer's chapter on food, I am prompted to try her corn chowder. Comment on my xanga site, if you have ever prepared her recipe.

Rave Reviews

Tonight I served one of the easiest dinners I know. My husband always compliments this menu.

Chicken baked in BBQ Sauce
Steamed Broccoli
Orzo

Several friends are creating recipe blogs and I have submitted other favorites to the Prairie Muffin Site. So, let's see how this one pans out in cybespace.

PS I have a *time bake* mechanism on my oven, which allows me to program it in the morning and we can return in the evening to the delicious aromas of dinner practically prepared.

Beef with Currants

3 lbs beef, stew meat,  (1 1/2"-size cubes)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 Tbs butter
18 small onions, peeled (can substitute lg white onion, sliced in crescent shapes)
1 can tomato paste

1/2 cup dry red wine
2 Tbs wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf, broken
1 2" piece whole cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp whole cloves
1/2 tsp ground  cumin
1/3 cup currants

Preparation ~

1.   Assemble and prepare all ingredients
2.   Season meat with salt and pepper.  In 6 qt oven-proof casserole, melt butter and add meat, stirring to coat well - do not brown.
3.  Add onions and tomato paste.

At this point you may stop and continue later ~

4.   Combine wine, vinegar, and garlic;  pour over casserole.  Add seasonings and currants.

Cooking ~

5.   Cook, covered, in 300 degree oven for 3 hrs, or until meat is tender.

Serves 6
Doubles, refrigerates, and freezes well


Consider serving this Greek stew with baked bulghur (or brown rice), spinach salad, and hot French bread.

Friday Five

I like to comment on my friend's blog. Every Friday she poses a question and this week's is so good, I dont want to lose my answers.

The question is *Name five things I want my children to remember about me.*

So, here goes...........I want them to remember me as a lady who not only had a deep, personal relationship with the Lord, but who also was able to apply that relationship to every area of daily living, temporal and spiritual. Since I am multi-faceted, these memories will cover my lifespan as 1)an individual, 2)a daughter, 3)a wife, 4)a mother, and 5)a grandmother (hopefully).

Interior Decoration, Chapter Five

Today I am rereading Mrs. Schaeffer's chapter on interior decoration, which is defined on page 66, as *anything we do with the place where we are living for any length of time at all.*

This broad generalization gives me comfort as I am slow to make decorating decisions. This frustrates my children and probably my husband, who does not complain. If I had to fall back on a decorating mantra, it would be *Cleanliness is next to godliness.* That translates into keeping my home *clean and orderly* over *precisely appointed.* Plainly, I must learn to ignore the pink fabric on the wing chair, the color of which doesnt match my scheme, and be thankful that we have a lovely piece on which to sit.

All that said, I must announce a decorating *find.* Two needlepoint pillows on sale at half price! I had noticed them last winter and passed them up unsure that they would *match.* Now that I am pleased with the way they look in on my sofa, I think I will wrap them up and give them to me for Christmas.

Before I do, however, would you like to join me for tea this afternoon in my living room. Say around four?

Stock Recipe

Large stock pot (6-8qt)
Leftover ham bone (turkey carcass works, too)
Water to cover
Whole carrot, washed
Stalk celery
White onion, quartered
Clove garlic
Peppercorns

Cover loosely with lid. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce to low heat. Simmer for 3-4 hours. The liquid should be reduced from the original amount. Remove bone, meat pieces, veggies and throw away. All nutritional value and flavor is in the broth. Store overnight in 'fridge. Next day remove layer of solidified fat. Freeze remaining liquid for use in cooking or use immediately. Sometimes I freeze the entire 6qts to be used when I am making a homemade soup. And other times I freeze in smaller quantities for use in other recipes.

My favorite homemade soups:
1)15 Bean
2)Senate (navy) Bean
3)Split Pea
4)Potato
5)Chicken/Turkey Noodle
6)Must-Go Soup
7)Veggie Soup

Making Sunday Special

On my Xanga site I mentioned that I am reading a book by the above title. Over the next few months, I will post a few comments as I progress through the chapters.

Since today is Saturday this is your last chance to prepare for Sunday. Preparation/thinking ahead is the key to making the day special and set apart. So, I will start easy and propose that you mainly think/meditate on getting ready your heart, mind, and body to meet (visit with in Southern....) the Lord tomorrow. Consider three areas: 1)hearing His Word preached 2)singing His praises and 3)sharing a meal with Him.

Only after being able to get yourself ready for Sunday ahead of time on a regular basis can you consider being able to get ready any one else, like your children.