Good Sunday evening! All is well and the world is back on it axis at the Gilbreath home now that Travis is home from Miami. Dogs are content, Travis gets his job back of feeding and walking our little furry babies, Michelle goes back to her room to sleep, and I have time tonight to write my blog! WOW - when on link is missing - nothing fits. I wonder if that is how Travis feels when I am away??? But I am glad that he and Mark had a good time and accomplished whatever it was they went to accomplish!
I was just to tired of food after cooking Wednesday night! Basically it turned out ok - but now I have to decide what I will cook for next Wednesday! I had planned to do a nice stew, cornbread and great dessert -- but now at the Ladies Day Retreat - the menu is soup -- so I don't want to rain on their parade - and because it is only three days later, I am reconsidering!!!
I went to Fresh this afternoon -- the more I go there - the more I like it! It is just amazing at the choices that one has when shopping there! Of course it was a little strange - seeing several people walking around shopping and sipping on Margarita's on a Sunday afternoon! I did buy some wonderful tasting bread - it is cranberry orange -- will be delicious for breakfast!
Here is a cake recipe I plan to make very, very soon!
PUMPKIN POUND CAKE WITH BUTTERMILK GLAZE
The glaze on this mouthwatering cake is enough to make you want to lick the bowl. Drain the canned pumpkin before making the cake batter to keep the cake's texture light. Yeild: 16 slices
INGREDIENTS
Cake:
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cu packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups alll purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (the best I've found is Penzey's)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup fat-free buttermilk
Glaze:
1/3 cup fat free buttermilk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
Preparation
To prepare the cake, lightly coat a 10 inch tube pan with cooking spray; dust with 1 tablespoon flour. Spread pumpkin over 2 layers of paper towels; cover with 2 additional layers of paper towels. Let stand about 10 minutes. Scrape drained pumpkin into a bowl.
Place 3/4 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 3 minutes or until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in pumpkin and vanilla. Lightly spoon 3 cups flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and next four ingredients (through salt) in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and 3/4 cup buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pan, and cool completely on rack.
To prepare glaze, combine 1/3 cup buttermilk and remaining ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly, remove from heat. Drizzle cake with glaze.
Cake really sounds delicious! I would love to cook it for the dessert for next Wednesday -- but that would require I make 8 of them!!!
How many of you like Ceasar Salad? If you do, stay tuned for an easy, light recipe that will make your mouth water!!!
Tonight I heard something I had never heard about - but makes sense! God doesn't need us! WHEN HE wants something done, whether it is a new church to be planted in a foreign land or someone encouraged with attention from their brothers and sisters. When we have a thought - like I should take them some food, or I should at least send a card - but time and other things deter us and we let the time go by and don't do anything. Then we see in a bulletin thank you notes for the cards, expressions of love by the food and calls one received - we know God gave us a hint, we let it slip by - so he gave someone else the thought and they responded. I'm sure this has happened to all of us -- surely I am not the only one -- so let's all try to answer these requests of God and be more conscious of uplifting and helping our fellow man! God will bless our efforts!!!
Later!!!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
SUNDAY EVENING - PART 2
Was that video awesome or what? I can't wait to try it!!!
It was great being with my niece today too! She is such a delight and so entertaining. She is becoming quite a whiz at playing games. She keeps a Monopoly game going with her Meme - and is always challenging me to some game! She is so sharp!!!
Well - I am attempting something quite different from anything I have ever done! I have the beginnings of "Cake Balls" started - but it is a slow process! First you bake a cake - then you crumble it up and mix it with icing. Then it needs to chill overnight or for 5 or 6 hours. After that - you take and roll out about 1-1/2 inch balls. Then they must freeze. Then the fun starts - you dip them in coating and decorate. Mine are in the freezer right now! Guess I will dip and decorate tomorrow night!!! I'll take a picture of my attempts and post it for you - with further and more detailed instructions!!!
This afternoon we went and purchased the groceries for the Wednesday night meal we will prepare. IT is going to be Glazed, spiral cut ham, Sweet potato casserole, green beans almond, rolls and Apple tortillas. So - come eat with us!!
Thinking about Mark's sermon tonight led me to think about an email I received today. It was about how thankful we should be for our washers and dryers. I want to share this with you!!
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke
wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with
boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then
rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and
starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs.. Brew cup of tea, sit
and rock a spell and count your blessings.
================================================
Paste this over your washer and dryer Next time when you think things are
bleak, read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give
thanks.. First thing each morning you should run and hug your washer and
dryer, also your toilet---those two-holers used to get mighty cold!
Well - it really is getting late - so I am going to sign off! I'll let you know how the Cake Balls turn out! Have blessed tomorrow - and remember to Thank God for your blessings! They all come from Him!!
It was great being with my niece today too! She is such a delight and so entertaining. She is becoming quite a whiz at playing games. She keeps a Monopoly game going with her Meme - and is always challenging me to some game! She is so sharp!!!
Well - I am attempting something quite different from anything I have ever done! I have the beginnings of "Cake Balls" started - but it is a slow process! First you bake a cake - then you crumble it up and mix it with icing. Then it needs to chill overnight or for 5 or 6 hours. After that - you take and roll out about 1-1/2 inch balls. Then they must freeze. Then the fun starts - you dip them in coating and decorate. Mine are in the freezer right now! Guess I will dip and decorate tomorrow night!!! I'll take a picture of my attempts and post it for you - with further and more detailed instructions!!!
This afternoon we went and purchased the groceries for the Wednesday night meal we will prepare. IT is going to be Glazed, spiral cut ham, Sweet potato casserole, green beans almond, rolls and Apple tortillas. So - come eat with us!!
Thinking about Mark's sermon tonight led me to think about an email I received today. It was about how thankful we should be for our washers and dryers. I want to share this with you!!
Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe
WARSHING CLOTHESthis is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook -
with spelling errors and all.
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke
wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with
boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then
rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and
starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs.. Brew cup of tea, sit
and rock a spell and count your blessings.
================================================
Paste this over your washer and dryer Next time when you think things are
bleak, read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give
thanks.. First thing each morning you should run and hug your washer and
dryer, also your toilet---those two-holers used to get mighty cold!
Well - it really is getting late - so I am going to sign off! I'll let you know how the Cake Balls turn out! Have blessed tomorrow - and remember to Thank God for your blessings! They all come from Him!!
That was a true story -- I don't remember all of that - but we did have clothes lines - clothes smelled so good. My Mom would make my sister and I full, full, net pedicoats and we would wash them - and then starch them really stiff - and hang them on the lines to dry. I would stretch mine across a couple of lines so it would stand straight out!!! Oh what we girls did back then for "fashion!!"For you non-southerners - wrench means, rinse ;)
AND WE THINK WE HAVE IT ROUGH!
SUNDAY EVENING ALREADY AND IT IS GETTING LATE - Part 1
Good evening - hope you attended worship services as good as ours. We had a substitute song leader - but singing was just as good! Mark's sermon was one of the best ever! Tonight his lesson was to remember to look up to say Thank you to our Heavenly Father who provides every blessing we have!
Looks like I can't type below it! So -- check out Part 2 for tonight Too - but watch this first!
Looks like I can't type below it! So -- check out Part 2 for tonight Too - but watch this first!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A COOL EVENING - SOUP AND STEWS ARE IN ORDER!
Good evening! Thought I would take this time to update you! Yesterday Travis came home with his lip black, I was shocked; I had forgotten that he had a follow-up appointment with dermatologist.. They did a biopsy on his lip six week ago. They froze his lip three times and didn't actually say the big "C" word, but told him she didn't like the biopsy report. So he has been in major pain today. I didn't go to church but cooked him homemade chicken-rice soup! He only ate one helping - not sure if appetite wasn't the same as usual or he just tolerated it. Please pray the lip will heal properly and all will be ok!!
Monday was a holiday from the bank so I made a delicious (even if I do say so myself) beef stew. So - here is the recipe as I remember it! It makes a large amount -- but it went fast!!
COUNTRY BEEF STEW
1 large pkg. stew meat or cut up a big nice piece of sirloin steak in inch squares
1 onion chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 pkg. (5 or 6 large) carrot, cleaned and cut into about 1/2inch chunks
8 to 10 large red potatoes - peeled and cut into at least fourths
1 can hominy, drained
1 can (15-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste ( I love the paste in the tube)
Salt to taste
Good shakes of black pepper (of course I used Penzey's Fresh Ground and probably used 1 tablespoon)
3 large bay leaves
1 tsp. sugar
2 tablespoons Pensey's Beef Roast Flavoring
2 cups cheap red wine
2 tablespoons Canola oil
Heat Canola oil in large skillet and add beef - seasoned with salt and generously covered with black pepper. Saute until red is missing. Add onion and garlic, red wine and bay leaves. Cook until onion is tender and wine is cooked down. Place beef mixture in a large crock pot. Start on high and add 2 cups hot water and 2 tsp. chicken instant chicken bouillon. Allow to cook until starts to boil. Add carrots. Then add potatoes and let cook for about 20 minutes on high. Then add tomatoes, hominy,sugar, and other seasoningsm- except tomato paste. Let cook until meat is tender. Check water and if needed add 1 cup very hot. Taste and add salt and black pepper to taste. Once meat is tender add the tomato paste and cook just a little longer, put on warm until ready to serve!!
Sounds involved - but it flows and I had it ready in about 4 to 5 hours. It could have been much faster but I would put the veggies on top of beef in crock pot and go shopping, or go to Mom's. Normally I would have cooked it all in a big old iron pan with a lid either left it on the stove top or put in the oven for about 2 hours! Same thing accomplished.!!!
I had bought a chicken and had planned to cook it and make chicken enchiladas but Travis wanted soup so that is what I did!! Yes - I actually bought a whole chicken, cut it up, took off 98% of the skin, then boiled it. Why - when there is every choice at the grocery store: whole chicken cup up; chicken breasts, with skin or skinless, with bones or boneless; chicken legs or thighs - skinless or with skin. Well - here is a lesson in being a little old fashion! The whole chicken was $4.69 - the cut up chicken was $10.49 (smallest one and that was at Super 1) - so I decided I could take about 5 minutes and cut that old bird up!!!! Yes - something I hate worse than cutting up chicken is sacking my own groceries , taking them to the car, and putting them in the car. Then you have to unload them at hone! But - I was near there when I got finished getting hair done -and it is cheaper - so I bit the bullet and did it!!
Oh here is a tip I have been intending to give! Have you tried the Gourmet Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans at Sams. It is in the deli (where special cheeses are located). IT is wonderful - I love it. It seems to have a dressing that has poppy seeds. It would be great for a luncheon or just to eat! I shared it with my sister and then my Mom.
The only deed I did on Monday was take my Mom a big helping (probably two helpings) of stew and earlier the chicken salad -- but that was good! So tomorrow we all need to try to make someone else happy!!! I hope you have a great tomorrow and God will grant you a special blessing.
Monday was a holiday from the bank so I made a delicious (even if I do say so myself) beef stew. So - here is the recipe as I remember it! It makes a large amount -- but it went fast!!
COUNTRY BEEF STEW
1 large pkg. stew meat or cut up a big nice piece of sirloin steak in inch squares
1 onion chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 pkg. (5 or 6 large) carrot, cleaned and cut into about 1/2inch chunks
8 to 10 large red potatoes - peeled and cut into at least fourths
1 can hominy, drained
1 can (15-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste ( I love the paste in the tube)
Salt to taste
Good shakes of black pepper (of course I used Penzey's Fresh Ground and probably used 1 tablespoon)
3 large bay leaves
1 tsp. sugar
2 tablespoons Pensey's Beef Roast Flavoring
2 cups cheap red wine
2 tablespoons Canola oil
Heat Canola oil in large skillet and add beef - seasoned with salt and generously covered with black pepper. Saute until red is missing. Add onion and garlic, red wine and bay leaves. Cook until onion is tender and wine is cooked down. Place beef mixture in a large crock pot. Start on high and add 2 cups hot water and 2 tsp. chicken instant chicken bouillon. Allow to cook until starts to boil. Add carrots. Then add potatoes and let cook for about 20 minutes on high. Then add tomatoes, hominy,sugar, and other seasoningsm- except tomato paste. Let cook until meat is tender. Check water and if needed add 1 cup very hot. Taste and add salt and black pepper to taste. Once meat is tender add the tomato paste and cook just a little longer, put on warm until ready to serve!!
Sounds involved - but it flows and I had it ready in about 4 to 5 hours. It could have been much faster but I would put the veggies on top of beef in crock pot and go shopping, or go to Mom's. Normally I would have cooked it all in a big old iron pan with a lid either left it on the stove top or put in the oven for about 2 hours! Same thing accomplished.!!!
I had bought a chicken and had planned to cook it and make chicken enchiladas but Travis wanted soup so that is what I did!! Yes - I actually bought a whole chicken, cut it up, took off 98% of the skin, then boiled it. Why - when there is every choice at the grocery store: whole chicken cup up; chicken breasts, with skin or skinless, with bones or boneless; chicken legs or thighs - skinless or with skin. Well - here is a lesson in being a little old fashion! The whole chicken was $4.69 - the cut up chicken was $10.49 (smallest one and that was at Super 1) - so I decided I could take about 5 minutes and cut that old bird up!!!! Yes - something I hate worse than cutting up chicken is sacking my own groceries , taking them to the car, and putting them in the car. Then you have to unload them at hone! But - I was near there when I got finished getting hair done -and it is cheaper - so I bit the bullet and did it!!
Oh here is a tip I have been intending to give! Have you tried the Gourmet Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans at Sams. It is in the deli (where special cheeses are located). IT is wonderful - I love it. It seems to have a dressing that has poppy seeds. It would be great for a luncheon or just to eat! I shared it with my sister and then my Mom.
The only deed I did on Monday was take my Mom a big helping (probably two helpings) of stew and earlier the chicken salad -- but that was good! So tomorrow we all need to try to make someone else happy!!! I hope you have a great tomorrow and God will grant you a special blessing.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
SUNDAY - TALENT IS SHARED - BLESSING THE CONGREGATION
What a sad week it has been! Life goes on - and gradually I am becoming use to walking in without starting to cry. Our other two babies seem to be trying to make it up to us. They stay closer and come where we are for pets and hugs. They are precious too -- just no silly antics.
Last week was very busy - there are just some weeks that meetings take up more of my time than anything else! I did take an extra hour for lunch on Thursday and atttended a cooking class that Sweet Gourmet was having. It was about how to make the proper (and delicious) bread puddings! One was a dessert - Bananas Foster Bread Pudding with a Caramel Banana Rum Sauce. The other was a main dish - Wild Mushroom and Gruyere Bread Pudding. Not being a dessert eater, I loved this one. I can't share the recipes because even though Chef Alyssa Wilhite didn't ask us not to,but I feel it is a professional courtesy to not do it. She had said at one meeting with her that she was very protective of her recipes. I loved getting new tips, a couple of good recipes, and finding out the use of some new wonderful products. Several of those attending must attend all of the classes and were quick to take over all of the preparing - I think all I got to do was mash up some pecans! So I was disappointed that the duties were not shared more -- but guess I already knew how to beat eggs, fold in ingredients, melt butter!! Ha! I did learn one thing I didn't know - "don't ever crack eggs on the edge of the bowl or cabinet, crack them on a flat service." That way you don't have jagged pieces that can break off and fall in your bowl. I tried it today - and they really crack smooth - with no jagged edges. You are also less likely to break the yellow as it goes out of the shell!
Today - I decided to use my creative spirit to rework an old favorite! Banana Pudding. So here is the recipe - I really made it up as I went.
Caramel Banana Pudding
1 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons flour
3 eggs yokes
2 Cups Milk
1/2 tsp. salt
Add 2tablespoonsCinnamon Honey Butter
1/4 Cup Caribbean Banana Caramel
2 large Bananas
2 to 3 tablespoons white rum
Vanilla Wafers
Begin the pudding as any other pudding. Combine sugar, flour and salt in heavy sauce pan. Beat eggs in 2 cup measuring cup and then fill the cup to 2 cups with milk, whisking well to combine. Stir into flour mixture. Start the heat on medium low, stirring well. While mixture is heating up, slice bananas and cover with the rum. When the pudding mixture is good and hot stir in the 2 tablespoons Cinnamon Honey Butter allowing it to melt, then add the bananas and rum. Cook until thickened and then add the Caribbean Banana Caramel. If mixture gets too thin, combine one large tablespoon of corn starch to about 1/4 cup verycold water and then stir into banana mixture, allow to start to boil again and take off burner.
Put a few vanilla wafers in bowl, cover with banana mixture, add a few more cookies and top with remaining mixture. For finish, you may crush one vanilla wafer over the top! So far - good reviews!!!
Well - tonight can be called "Dessert Night!" Here is another easy and quick cake to bake! It is a Pina Colada Cake. No it is not another recipe with rum, etc. By the way, the alcohol cooks out - anytime it is put in a recipe where it is cooked - and just leaves a good flavor!
PINA COLADA CAKE
1 (2 Layer size) package Extra Moist White Cake Mix
1/4 cup Oil
3 Eggs
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 - 8-1/2 oz. Can Cream of Coconut
Pina Colada Frosting:
1 - 8 oz. pkg. Cream Cheese
1 lb. Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 - 8-1/4 oz. Can Crushed Pineapple, drained well and blotted dry on paper towel
Angel Flake Coconut
In large bowl combine cake mix, oil, eggs, sour cream and Cream of Coconut and beat. Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 or 9 inch layer pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove and cool completely on rack. Frost with Pina Colada Frosting. You can also cook in 9 X 12 pan and spread icing over all of it!!!
Well - next time - I will try to give you some main dish recipes or side dishes! Although I don't normally eat dessert, I love to cook them!
One more tip: (got this one from the class too!) Don't ever test for doneness by sticking toothpick or tester in pudding. If it comes out clean - you've cooked it too long. Just feel - you can tell if it is firm - and if it is firm - it is done enough. Any recipe will continue to cook after taken off heat or out oven - and you will have a much softer and nicer product!!
Have a great Columbus Day tomorrow! I have lots of plans!!! I want to do something nice for someone - so many needy - I have to decide who to try to bless - and hope you will do the same.
Last week was very busy - there are just some weeks that meetings take up more of my time than anything else! I did take an extra hour for lunch on Thursday and atttended a cooking class that Sweet Gourmet was having. It was about how to make the proper (and delicious) bread puddings! One was a dessert - Bananas Foster Bread Pudding with a Caramel Banana Rum Sauce. The other was a main dish - Wild Mushroom and Gruyere Bread Pudding. Not being a dessert eater, I loved this one. I can't share the recipes because even though Chef Alyssa Wilhite didn't ask us not to,but I feel it is a professional courtesy to not do it. She had said at one meeting with her that she was very protective of her recipes. I loved getting new tips, a couple of good recipes, and finding out the use of some new wonderful products. Several of those attending must attend all of the classes and were quick to take over all of the preparing - I think all I got to do was mash up some pecans! So I was disappointed that the duties were not shared more -- but guess I already knew how to beat eggs, fold in ingredients, melt butter!! Ha! I did learn one thing I didn't know - "don't ever crack eggs on the edge of the bowl or cabinet, crack them on a flat service." That way you don't have jagged pieces that can break off and fall in your bowl. I tried it today - and they really crack smooth - with no jagged edges. You are also less likely to break the yellow as it goes out of the shell!
Today - I decided to use my creative spirit to rework an old favorite! Banana Pudding. So here is the recipe - I really made it up as I went.
Caramel Banana Pudding
1 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons flour
3 eggs yokes
2 Cups Milk
1/2 tsp. salt
Add 2tablespoonsCinnamon Honey Butter
1/4 Cup Caribbean Banana Caramel
2 large Bananas
2 to 3 tablespoons white rum
Vanilla Wafers
Begin the pudding as any other pudding. Combine sugar, flour and salt in heavy sauce pan. Beat eggs in 2 cup measuring cup and then fill the cup to 2 cups with milk, whisking well to combine. Stir into flour mixture. Start the heat on medium low, stirring well. While mixture is heating up, slice bananas and cover with the rum. When the pudding mixture is good and hot stir in the 2 tablespoons Cinnamon Honey Butter allowing it to melt, then add the bananas and rum. Cook until thickened and then add the Caribbean Banana Caramel. If mixture gets too thin, combine one large tablespoon of corn starch to about 1/4 cup verycold water and then stir into banana mixture, allow to start to boil again and take off burner.
Put a few vanilla wafers in bowl, cover with banana mixture, add a few more cookies and top with remaining mixture. For finish, you may crush one vanilla wafer over the top! So far - good reviews!!!
Well - tonight can be called "Dessert Night!" Here is another easy and quick cake to bake! It is a Pina Colada Cake. No it is not another recipe with rum, etc. By the way, the alcohol cooks out - anytime it is put in a recipe where it is cooked - and just leaves a good flavor!
PINA COLADA CAKE
1 (2 Layer size) package Extra Moist White Cake Mix
1/4 cup Oil
3 Eggs
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 - 8-1/2 oz. Can Cream of Coconut
Pina Colada Frosting:
1 - 8 oz. pkg. Cream Cheese
1 lb. Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 - 8-1/4 oz. Can Crushed Pineapple, drained well and blotted dry on paper towel
Angel Flake Coconut
In large bowl combine cake mix, oil, eggs, sour cream and Cream of Coconut and beat. Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 or 9 inch layer pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove and cool completely on rack. Frost with Pina Colada Frosting. You can also cook in 9 X 12 pan and spread icing over all of it!!!
Well - next time - I will try to give you some main dish recipes or side dishes! Although I don't normally eat dessert, I love to cook them!
One more tip: (got this one from the class too!) Don't ever test for doneness by sticking toothpick or tester in pudding. If it comes out clean - you've cooked it too long. Just feel - you can tell if it is firm - and if it is firm - it is done enough. Any recipe will continue to cook after taken off heat or out oven - and you will have a much softer and nicer product!!
Have a great Columbus Day tomorrow! I have lots of plans!!! I want to do something nice for someone - so many needy - I have to decide who to try to bless - and hope you will do the same.
Monday, October 3, 2011
DEDICATED TO A TENDER MEMORY - MY HARLEY
FIRST OFF - LET ME SAY -- IF YOU'VE RECENTLY LOST SOMEONE CLOSE - A PARENT, A SPOUSE, A CHILD - My heart hurts for you but I don't want you to read this and think "oh that crazy woman - she doesn't know grief!" I do know grief and what you don't understand is my Harley was my substitution for the grandchildren I would never have, my other children that I will never have - he represented so much to me! He loved me and I loved him. Tonight I was cooking -- and it broke my heart -- the only thing that got in my way was a stool I had used to get something down from the cabinet that I could not reach! Normally he would have been right here - either barking for a bite or just being here with me!
So let me tell you a little about my Harley(I think I can do this) In January 2001, I was begging for a new dog. Our poodle - Nugget had been gone several years - so to placate me Travis took me to Canton and all the way - I was thinking " I will not buy a dog in Canton." So - none of the dogs even tempted me until we were leaving and there were these little Schnauzers - with Schnauzer cuts and ears clipped. Travis picked one up and we were looking at him and he reached up and nipped Travis' chin. That did he, he never put him down. We brought him home and he was so little - I was scared of him, but I called my sister to come over. She fell in love with him and I did too. But every name I thought of wasn't right - Alice didn't like it, Travis didn't like it. For two weeks the baby didn't have a name. THen we were watching the Westminister Dog Show and a little dog came out and his name was Harley. My phone rang and my sister said, "I know what you can name him!" and I said "he has a name, HARLEY!" In just two weeks we had figured out he was different - bad to the bone - he wanted to bite everything! From there it was love, love, love. I taught him to "Patty cake" and just last week we did it one last time - he would roll the ball to me - and follow me everywhere - he was still doing that on Thursday before he died. Three years later I bought Lexie for Travis and then one year later, kinda by accident, Travis saw Beemer and came home and told me about him. So we wound up with three wonderful Schnauzers - and Lexie and Beemer are wonderful, sweet, beautiful, and precious -- but they are like twins, never one without the other. They are laid back - don't really care if they are in the room with us or not. Harley was the loner -- he was always with us - and if I made 100 trips to the back of the house, he was either right behind me - or in front of me - looking back to make sure I followed. He loved his toys and would go get them and shake them with all his might and then lift his head and swing it. The last one he slung was on the coffee table on Friday. At Christmas 2001 - he started stealing Christmas ornaments off the Christmas tree and Christmas 2010 was no different. I have a picture of him coming around the corner with an ornament in his mouth. He loved to steal wet wash clothes and would hide them and then when he was let out of their room, would just fly to get it! HE was so unique and so wonderful -- and my heart is broken - and I wonder if it will ever heal! I know - he was just a dog - but no - he was so much more to us! He was joy, fun, entertainment and love. He loved us and we love him. Here are a couple of pictures! I will post more as time goes by. If they don't show up as you read - just click the little icon in the frame.
So let me tell you a little about my Harley(I think I can do this) In January 2001, I was begging for a new dog. Our poodle - Nugget had been gone several years - so to placate me Travis took me to Canton and all the way - I was thinking " I will not buy a dog in Canton." So - none of the dogs even tempted me until we were leaving and there were these little Schnauzers - with Schnauzer cuts and ears clipped. Travis picked one up and we were looking at him and he reached up and nipped Travis' chin. That did he, he never put him down. We brought him home and he was so little - I was scared of him, but I called my sister to come over. She fell in love with him and I did too. But every name I thought of wasn't right - Alice didn't like it, Travis didn't like it. For two weeks the baby didn't have a name. THen we were watching the Westminister Dog Show and a little dog came out and his name was Harley. My phone rang and my sister said, "I know what you can name him!" and I said "he has a name, HARLEY!" In just two weeks we had figured out he was different - bad to the bone - he wanted to bite everything! From there it was love, love, love. I taught him to "Patty cake" and just last week we did it one last time - he would roll the ball to me - and follow me everywhere - he was still doing that on Thursday before he died. Three years later I bought Lexie for Travis and then one year later, kinda by accident, Travis saw Beemer and came home and told me about him. So we wound up with three wonderful Schnauzers - and Lexie and Beemer are wonderful, sweet, beautiful, and precious -- but they are like twins, never one without the other. They are laid back - don't really care if they are in the room with us or not. Harley was the loner -- he was always with us - and if I made 100 trips to the back of the house, he was either right behind me - or in front of me - looking back to make sure I followed. He loved his toys and would go get them and shake them with all his might and then lift his head and swing it. The last one he slung was on the coffee table on Friday. At Christmas 2001 - he started stealing Christmas ornaments off the Christmas tree and Christmas 2010 was no different. I have a picture of him coming around the corner with an ornament in his mouth. He loved to steal wet wash clothes and would hide them and then when he was let out of their room, would just fly to get it! HE was so unique and so wonderful -- and my heart is broken - and I wonder if it will ever heal! I know - he was just a dog - but no - he was so much more to us! He was joy, fun, entertainment and love. He loved us and we love him. Here are a couple of pictures! I will post more as time goes by. If they don't show up as you read - just click the little icon in the frame.
Harley - with his little crocked ear and Harley in the middle - spokesman for the rest!!
So - no, I can't say "good-bye" yet! He is in so many of my thoughts!
Well - this blog is supposed to be about cooking - and I did cook tonight -- but my heart hurt as I did. I did cook the Pumpkin-Pecan bread that I posted the last time I wrote. It turned out wonderful and served with Pampered Chef's Caramel Sauce - family was pleased!! So make the bread - everyone will love it.
P. S. I only used 2-1/2 cups sugar and added 1 Tablespoon vanilla.
WONDERFUL! I served drizzled with caramel sauce and everyone loved it! You just must try it -- if you cook at all!!!
I have a wonderful - well it sounds wonderful, and very simple Maranara Sauce and that will be the next thing I cook. So why don't you try it and let me know what you think! I got it out of the Dallas paper and this editor had been to Spain and every restaurant has Penne All' Arrabbiata so she tried it and fell in love with it. She came back to her test kitchen and reinvented it. She said "Arrabbiata" means "anger!" So - in case you didn't see the recipe - here it is:
PENNE ALL'ARRABBIATA
2 oz. Dry penne pasta for each serving (see note)
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced thinly
1 teaspoon red pepper (see note)
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1 - 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
Shredded parmesan cheese, to taste for serving.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set hot cooked pasta aside.
While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a 2 quart or larger saucepan. Add garlic and red pepper flakes to hot oil. Add chopped red bell pepperand salt; stir and cook for two minutes or until bell pepper begins to soften. Add tomatoes and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer sauce until pasta is done.
For each serving, toss hot pasta and 1/3 cup of sauce together in a pasta bowl. Top each serving with shredded parmesan cheese, to taste and serve.
Makes 4 cups sauce, enough for 12 servings. Freeze leftover saucein an airtight container for up to 3 months.
NOTE: Use 2 oz. of dry pasta for each serving, and toss with 1/3 cup of the sauce.. Red pepper flakes can be added to taste. one teaspoon gives the sauce a nice, smooth heat. Add additional, to taste, after sauce is cooked to increase the heat level.
Per serving: Calories 240!!! Carbs 48 grams; Protein 9 grams
I think the sauce would be great on chicken, or a whole wheat pasta, pork chops or eggplant.
So try it!!!!
Have a great tomorrow - do something great - for someone else - and remember - if you have a pet - especially a dog -- it love you -- and give it your love. Your heart may break later - but the love you received will be worth it!!!
Monday, September 26, 2011
FALL IS FINALLY IN THE AIR - READY FOR PUMPKIN, APPLES AND SPICE
Good evening! Watching the cowboys or Dancing with the Stars? I have been trying to figure out how to delete old posts on Facebook! IT seems by "upgrading" they made it much more complicated because I still have not figured out how! If you know - please face book me and let me know!
Just got home from work, an Executive Board Meeting for Pilot Club, followed by a meeting with a committee from church! Tomorrow I have a Red Cross board meeting, Wednesday is church again - all of this was preceded with an all day Pilot Club Fall Council in Longview on Saturday, and a funeral for a precious lady on Sunday that I would not have wanted to miss but seiously- I want Jon Carole, Travis and Michelle time!!!
I am ready for the weather to stay cooler and me have time to start cooking again! I have some great ideas and great recipes! At a Pampered Chef meeting, a dish was prepared using chicken, Julienne carrots, and PC's Ginger-Wasabi Sauce. IT was delicious and I now have the sauce and the Julienne Peeler! I am ready to cook!!! Also don't you think it is time to cook FALL! Pumpkins, apples, sweet potatoes, Pecans, and simmered cider! My new Southern Living is full of delicious sounding recipes and adorable pumpkins! Can't wait to try some pumpkin decorating.
Here is one of the first recipes I plan to make:
PECAN PUMPKIN BREAD
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 cup Canola oil
4 large eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
Stir together flour and next four ingredients in a large bowl, and make a well in center of mixture. Whisk together pumpkin, next two ingredients, and 2/3 cup water; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Stir in pecans. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 9 X 5 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans and cool completely (about 1 hour). Makes 2 loaves.
That recipe can also be used to make Sticky-Bun Pumpkin Muffins - but you will need to buy the October 2011 Southern Living to get the directions for that!!!
FOUR BOYFRIENDS -
(Not what you think)
Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.
She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him
with rich robes and treated him to the finest of
delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.
She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always
showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she
feared that one day he would leave her for another.
She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant
and was always kind, considerate and patient with her.
Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in
him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.
The girls first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had
made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and
kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend .
Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of
him.
One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short.
She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, "I now
have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, will I be
a alone."
Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, "I loved you the
most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered
great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow
me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the fourth
boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.
His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.
The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, "I loved you
all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and
keep me company?" "No!, replied the third boyfriend.
"Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry
someone else!" Her heart sank and turned cold .....
She then asked the second boyfriend, "I have always turned
to you for help and you've always been there for me. When
I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!," replied the
second boyfriend. "At the very most, I can only walk with
you to your grave."
His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the
girl was devastated ......
Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you
no matter where you go." The girl looked up, and there was
her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered
from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the girl said, "I should have taken much
better care of you when I had the chance!"
In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives:
Your fourth boyfriend is your body! No matter how much
time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will
leave you when you die.
Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status , and
wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.
Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter
how much they have been there for you, the furthest they
can stay by you is up to the grave.
And your first boyfriend is your soul. Often neglected in
pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, your soul is the only thing that will follow you
wherever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now,
for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the
throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.
In essence, it's the REAL you......
Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you
to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.
Pass this on to someone you care about - I just did.
Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means
you've decided to see beyond the imperfections. PRAISE
HIM!
I thought this was a great reminder and decided to share it with you - my loyal readers. May God bless each of you - and you in turn, bless someone else.
Just got home from work, an Executive Board Meeting for Pilot Club, followed by a meeting with a committee from church! Tomorrow I have a Red Cross board meeting, Wednesday is church again - all of this was preceded with an all day Pilot Club Fall Council in Longview on Saturday, and a funeral for a precious lady on Sunday that I would not have wanted to miss but seiously- I want Jon Carole, Travis and Michelle time!!!
I am ready for the weather to stay cooler and me have time to start cooking again! I have some great ideas and great recipes! At a Pampered Chef meeting, a dish was prepared using chicken, Julienne carrots, and PC's Ginger-Wasabi Sauce. IT was delicious and I now have the sauce and the Julienne Peeler! I am ready to cook!!! Also don't you think it is time to cook FALL! Pumpkins, apples, sweet potatoes, Pecans, and simmered cider! My new Southern Living is full of delicious sounding recipes and adorable pumpkins! Can't wait to try some pumpkin decorating.
Here is one of the first recipes I plan to make:
PECAN PUMPKIN BREAD
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 cup Canola oil
4 large eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
Stir together flour and next four ingredients in a large bowl, and make a well in center of mixture. Whisk together pumpkin, next two ingredients, and 2/3 cup water; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Stir in pecans. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 9 X 5 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans and cool completely (about 1 hour). Makes 2 loaves.
That recipe can also be used to make Sticky-Bun Pumpkin Muffins - but you will need to buy the October 2011 Southern Living to get the directions for that!!!
FOUR BOYFRIENDS -
(Not what you think)
Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.
She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him
with rich robes and treated him to the finest of
delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.
She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always
showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she
feared that one day he would leave her for another.
She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant
and was always kind, considerate and patient with her.
Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in
him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.
The girls first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had
made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and
kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend .
Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of
him.
One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short.
She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, "I now
have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, will I be
a alone."
Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, "I loved you the
most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered
great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow
me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the fourth
boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.
His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.
The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, "I loved you
all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and
keep me company?" "No!, replied the third boyfriend.
"Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry
someone else!" Her heart sank and turned cold .....
She then asked the second boyfriend, "I have always turned
to you for help and you've always been there for me. When
I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!," replied the
second boyfriend. "At the very most, I can only walk with
you to your grave."
His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the
girl was devastated ......
Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you
no matter where you go." The girl looked up, and there was
her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered
from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the girl said, "I should have taken much
better care of you when I had the chance!"
In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives:
Your fourth boyfriend is your body! No matter how much
time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will
leave you when you die.
Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status , and
wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.
Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter
how much they have been there for you, the furthest they
can stay by you is up to the grave.
And your first boyfriend is your soul. Often neglected in
pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, your soul is the only thing that will follow you
wherever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now,
for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the
throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.
In essence, it's the REAL you......
Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you
to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.
Pass this on to someone you care about - I just did.
Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means
you've decided to see beyond the imperfections. PRAISE
HIM!
I thought this was a great reminder and decided to share it with you - my loyal readers. May God bless each of you - and you in turn, bless someone else.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
TWO WINNERS IN ONE WEEK - WOW!!
TO do something right is so rewarding - when others are pleased! On Monday night the Pilot Club met at Sweet Gourmet for a special night planned just for them! Pam Gabriel, owner, her staff, and Chef extraordinaire, Alyssa (graduate of Cordon Blue Culinary school) created a perfect evening. They set up their classroom with chairs for all 23, had a wonderful meal of tasting creations from the products the store - and to top the event, gave us all 15% off on anything we bought! I think all but one of us bought something - some of us buying more than others! The chef demonstrated a wonderful Pomegranate Vinaigrette for a big nice (and delicious) salad they had prepared for us. Then she demonstrated a delicious Bread Pudding Sauce for the most fabulous bread pudding she had prepared! There was also a Shrimp bisque and Olive Loaf Bread demostrated by Deb, a wonderful lady on staff. All in all - a gourmet evening!!
Now that was on Tuesday evening -- and while I was enjoying the wonderful evening of tasting and shopping - Travis, friends Pam and Harry were working away - following instructions I had written - preparing for our meal on Wednesday evening at church - which turned into the second win of the week. Well - win - based on the smiles of the partakers! Travis grilled the chicken at home and it was done to perfection! I have taught him well - no actually - he has learned to follow his heart and do it his way - just as I do it my way. He is much better at grilling than I am! We also had a creamed corn - that is suppose to be Rudy's recipe - a barbeque place in San Antonio, and the Crock Pot Beans that I prepared once before. But - the real hit of the evening was the Baked "fried" pies. I don't fry anymore because of health and fitness - but eyes lit up when they saw their choice of apple, peach, chocolate, lemon, or cherry pies. One little boy said "Oh look pies - they've never had pies before!" Oh did I mention, we also had freshly risen hot rolls! I heard no complaints!!!!
Oh course, so much thanks goes to the good Lord for giving me the insight to prepare such a meal, to Travis for the wonderful job he did, and to Pam and Harry for all the hard work they did on Tuesday night, and to James and JoAnn for all of their help!
Here is the recipe for the creamed corn - the shorter version - not the 15 lbs. of corn I made, 48 oz. cream cheese, quart whipping cream, etc.
RUDY'S CREAMED CORN
4 lbs. frozen sweet corn
2 -8 oz. blocks creamed cheese, diced into 1 inch squares
1 stick (4 oz.) of salted butter
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
DIRECTIONS
Throw all the ingredients, without any sort of ceremony or circumstance, into a crock pot on medium or low for at least 4 hours. If you need it done faster, cook it on the stove or on high in the crockpot, but be prepared to sacrifice a little of the savory goodness that results when corn is allowed to soak in dairy for hours. All of the cream cheese pieces should be completely melted and will easily break down and combine with the cream and butter to make the "gravy!"
Do not over -salt. There is plenty of salt in the butter and cream cheese. Over- salting will ruin this dish!!!
NOTE: Everyone said it was delicious!!!
Here are some thoughts for you!
Valleys and Mountains in the life of a Christian
T he valley that we find ourselves in so often is the place of vision. It is the place of repose and reflection. Where you can take a real good look at you! I thank God for my valley experiences. “Yea thou I walk through valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thou staff they comfort me.”
This was sent to me by my cousin. I hope you can relate! Have a wonderful evening - try the corn - your family will thank you!! Do a good deed for someone!!!
Now that was on Tuesday evening -- and while I was enjoying the wonderful evening of tasting and shopping - Travis, friends Pam and Harry were working away - following instructions I had written - preparing for our meal on Wednesday evening at church - which turned into the second win of the week. Well - win - based on the smiles of the partakers! Travis grilled the chicken at home and it was done to perfection! I have taught him well - no actually - he has learned to follow his heart and do it his way - just as I do it my way. He is much better at grilling than I am! We also had a creamed corn - that is suppose to be Rudy's recipe - a barbeque place in San Antonio, and the Crock Pot Beans that I prepared once before. But - the real hit of the evening was the Baked "fried" pies. I don't fry anymore because of health and fitness - but eyes lit up when they saw their choice of apple, peach, chocolate, lemon, or cherry pies. One little boy said "Oh look pies - they've never had pies before!" Oh did I mention, we also had freshly risen hot rolls! I heard no complaints!!!!
Oh course, so much thanks goes to the good Lord for giving me the insight to prepare such a meal, to Travis for the wonderful job he did, and to Pam and Harry for all the hard work they did on Tuesday night, and to James and JoAnn for all of their help!
Here is the recipe for the creamed corn - the shorter version - not the 15 lbs. of corn I made, 48 oz. cream cheese, quart whipping cream, etc.
RUDY'S CREAMED CORN
4 lbs. frozen sweet corn
2 -8 oz. blocks creamed cheese, diced into 1 inch squares
1 stick (4 oz.) of salted butter
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
DIRECTIONS
Throw all the ingredients, without any sort of ceremony or circumstance, into a crock pot on medium or low for at least 4 hours. If you need it done faster, cook it on the stove or on high in the crockpot, but be prepared to sacrifice a little of the savory goodness that results when corn is allowed to soak in dairy for hours. All of the cream cheese pieces should be completely melted and will easily break down and combine with the cream and butter to make the "gravy!"
Do not over -salt. There is plenty of salt in the butter and cream cheese. Over- salting will ruin this dish!!!
NOTE: Everyone said it was delicious!!!
Here are some thoughts for you!
Valleys and Mountains in the life of a Christian
Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Some of my family’s most memorable experiences have been spending time in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Sitting out in front of the cabin just before dawn listening to all the night sounds with a cup of hot coffee looking at God’s great wonderful mountain come to life, an eagle soaring overhead wow, that’s living.
Did you know that it is an impossibility of geography to have a valley without a mountain? They are beautiful complements in God’s grand creation.
The mountain is the place of discovery and a place to become strong. Oh, that we could spend more time on the mountain. I am not a hiker, my wife loves to climb, I try my best to stay up, so the bears won’t get me. And then we reach the top, and look back down at all the beauty, the climb was worth it.
If you find yourself in a valley, it is because you have come down from a mountain. If you’re on a mountain, you came to that place by the way of the valley.
“May the Lamb that was slain receive the rewards of His suffering.”
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
THOUGHTS, GOOD RECIPE, AND GREAT STORY
Good evening! Hope you had a great and successful day - whatever you were doing. Just wanted to visit a few minutes, give you a recipe, and share a wonderful story! Just think - maybe perhaps with God's will - we will go from 104 today to - I hope, hope, hope - 84! Won't that be a wonderful relief!!!
Monday night I cooked dinner - first time in a long time because Travis starts saying "oh don't heat the house!!!" I had been wanting to cook hamburgers with Hatch chilies since they are in season and that is what I did! Hatch would have been proud of my meal!! I took a pound of 96-4% fat meat (very lean) and combined it with chopped red onion, chopped roasted green chilies (about 2), and 2 garlic cloves, pressed. I also added Penzey's Fresh Ground Black pepper and then formed 4 patties to be grilled. On really lean meat, I usually add a couple tablespoons of olive oil but decided to try something else. In lieu of olive oil, I sprayed the grilling hamburger peppers with apple juice -- thus very moist patties. I heated hamburger buns, added a slice of low fat cheese, topped with tomato and a slice of roasted Hatch chilies. They really were delicious - had to make myself stop with a half!! Then I did creamed corn with Hatch chilies and sauted red onion and a minced Jalapeno. Added milk and half and half cream and it was really good! I am having creamed corn for the Wednesday meal next week at church, but will omit Hatch Chilies, jalapenos, and onion because so many people don't want anything spicy! So here is the recipe I will make for next week. This recipe make approximately 50 servings so I will probably double it -- and you will probably want to half it or quarter it!
RUDY'S CREAMED CORN
4 lbs. frozen sweet corn
2 -8 oz. blocks cream cheese, diced into 1 inch squares
1 stick (4 oz.) of salted butter
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Throw all the ingredients, without any sort of ceremony or circumstance, into a crockpot on medium or low for at least 4 hours. If you need it done faster, cook it on the stove or on high in crocpot, but be prepared to sacrifice a little of the savory goodness that results when corn is allowed to soak in dairy for hours. All of the cream cheese pieces should be completely melted and will easily break down and combine with the cream and butter to make the 'gravy.'
Do not over salt. There is plenty of salt in the butter and cream cheese. Over salting will ruin the dish.
Enjoy!!
Well that is the recipe I will share tonight and now for the wonderful heart felt story!
The Sandpiper
by Robert Peterson
She was sixx years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea. "Hello," she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. "I'm building," she said. " I see that. What is it?" I asked not really caring. "Oh I don't know. I just like the feel of sand." That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by. "That's a joy," the child said. "It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy. The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depreseded, my life seemed completely out of balance. "What's your name?" She wouldn't give up. "Robert," I annsered. "I'm Robert Peterson." "Mine's Wendy...I 'm six." "Hi Wendy." She gigled. "You're funny, she said. In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. "Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."
The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing Mother. The sun was shinning one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwaster. I needed a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever changing balm of the seashore awaited me.. The breese was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.
"Hello Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?" "What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance. "I don't know. You say."
"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is." "Then let's just walk."
Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. "Where do you live" I asked.
"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange I thought, in winter.
"Where do you go to school?" "I don't go to school. Mommy says we are on vacation." She shattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy, I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.
"Look. if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today." She seemed unusuallly pale and out of breath.
"Why?" she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died." and thought My God why was I saying this to a little child?
"Oh," she said quietly, then this is a bad day."
"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and --oh go away.!"
"Did it hurt?" she inquired.
'Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.
"When did she died?"
"Of course it hurts!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey- colored hair opened the door.
"Hello, " I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."
"Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. If she was a nuisance, please accept my apologies."
"Not at all--! she is a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.
"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukenia. Maybe she didn't tell you."
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.
"She loved the beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn't say nol
She seemed so much better hereand had a lot of what she called happy days.
But the last few weeks, she declined radidly..."'
Her voice faltered, "She left something for yhou, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. SHe handed me a smeared envelope with "MR." printed in bold childish letters..Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues-- a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words-- one for each year of her--- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love.
A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of snad -- who taught me the gift of love.
NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. IT happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. IT serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other.
The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.
Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis..
This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment,...even if it is only 10 seconds to stop and smell the roses.
Hope you loved this and it make you feel moist at the corner of your eyes and remember the ones you love. Talk soon!!!
Monday night I cooked dinner - first time in a long time because Travis starts saying "oh don't heat the house!!!" I had been wanting to cook hamburgers with Hatch chilies since they are in season and that is what I did! Hatch would have been proud of my meal!! I took a pound of 96-4% fat meat (very lean) and combined it with chopped red onion, chopped roasted green chilies (about 2), and 2 garlic cloves, pressed. I also added Penzey's Fresh Ground Black pepper and then formed 4 patties to be grilled. On really lean meat, I usually add a couple tablespoons of olive oil but decided to try something else. In lieu of olive oil, I sprayed the grilling hamburger peppers with apple juice -- thus very moist patties. I heated hamburger buns, added a slice of low fat cheese, topped with tomato and a slice of roasted Hatch chilies. They really were delicious - had to make myself stop with a half!! Then I did creamed corn with Hatch chilies and sauted red onion and a minced Jalapeno. Added milk and half and half cream and it was really good! I am having creamed corn for the Wednesday meal next week at church, but will omit Hatch Chilies, jalapenos, and onion because so many people don't want anything spicy! So here is the recipe I will make for next week. This recipe make approximately 50 servings so I will probably double it -- and you will probably want to half it or quarter it!
RUDY'S CREAMED CORN
4 lbs. frozen sweet corn
2 -8 oz. blocks cream cheese, diced into 1 inch squares
1 stick (4 oz.) of salted butter
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Throw all the ingredients, without any sort of ceremony or circumstance, into a crockpot on medium or low for at least 4 hours. If you need it done faster, cook it on the stove or on high in crocpot, but be prepared to sacrifice a little of the savory goodness that results when corn is allowed to soak in dairy for hours. All of the cream cheese pieces should be completely melted and will easily break down and combine with the cream and butter to make the 'gravy.'
Do not over salt. There is plenty of salt in the butter and cream cheese. Over salting will ruin the dish.
Enjoy!!
Well that is the recipe I will share tonight and now for the wonderful heart felt story!
The Sandpiper
by Robert Peterson
She was sixx years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea. "Hello," she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. "I'm building," she said. " I see that. What is it?" I asked not really caring. "Oh I don't know. I just like the feel of sand." That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by. "That's a joy," the child said. "It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy. The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depreseded, my life seemed completely out of balance. "What's your name?" She wouldn't give up. "Robert," I annsered. "I'm Robert Peterson." "Mine's Wendy...I 'm six." "Hi Wendy." She gigled. "You're funny, she said. In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. "Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."
The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing Mother. The sun was shinning one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwaster. I needed a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever changing balm of the seashore awaited me.. The breese was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.
"Hello Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?" "What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance. "I don't know. You say."
"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is." "Then let's just walk."
Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. "Where do you live" I asked.
"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange I thought, in winter.
"Where do you go to school?" "I don't go to school. Mommy says we are on vacation." She shattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy, I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.
"Look. if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today." She seemed unusuallly pale and out of breath.
"Why?" she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died." and thought My God why was I saying this to a little child?
"Oh," she said quietly, then this is a bad day."
"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and --oh go away.!"
"Did it hurt?" she inquired.
'Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.
"When did she died?"
"Of course it hurts!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey- colored hair opened the door.
"Hello, " I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."
"Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. If she was a nuisance, please accept my apologies."
"Not at all--! she is a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.
"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukenia. Maybe she didn't tell you."
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.
"She loved the beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn't say nol
She seemed so much better hereand had a lot of what she called happy days.
But the last few weeks, she declined radidly..."'
Her voice faltered, "She left something for yhou, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. SHe handed me a smeared envelope with "MR." printed in bold childish letters..Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues-- a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words-- one for each year of her--- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love.
A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of snad -- who taught me the gift of love.
NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. IT happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. IT serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other.
The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.
Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis..
This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment,...even if it is only 10 seconds to stop and smell the roses.
Hope you loved this and it make you feel moist at the corner of your eyes and remember the ones you love. Talk soon!!!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
GOOD THOUGHTS - GOOD FOOD - GOOD FRIENDS
Well - good evening! No I have not fallen into the ocean - or more appropriately "off the mountain!" Just had a lot to do when I got back from a great visit with my good friends, Mary and Jack! I had a couple of new experiences. I had never picked up a golf iron with any intent to hit a ball with it. But after listening to Mary talk about how she liked it - I ask if I could try! What an experience! Poor Jack was giving Mary tips and trying to get me to grip the iron the correct way. At first real swing it had me! (Just adopted a line from Jerry McGuire! It was so much fun and so we stayed about and hour and half and then on Saturday morning we stayed on driving range 2 hours and I never even stopped for water! Then we went to putting green and I still wanted to hit too hard! I really want to learn to play!!
The other "adventure" was when Mary told me that her landscaper had told her that pine nuts come from Pinon' trees. They have numerous Pinon' trees in their yard (7400 feet above sea level) so we went hunting for pine nuts. We found these little round balls with wrinkles and started breaking them open and there they were "pine nuts!" Well - we will never complain again about the price of pine nuts. Oh my goodness, sticky mess that our hands were. It was some type of resin and fingernail polish would not cut it -- we finally had to use Goo Be Gone. Lesson learned - buy the pine nuts - don't get the big idea of picking them!!!
Had a wonderful three days, but was happy to be back with my precious family!!!
Another great "non cook" hint for parties or for a wonderful snack with friends. At WalMart of all places - there is a dip by Sabra called Roasted Pine Nut Hummus. It is delicious - they have several flavors but I have only tried this one. It is Gluten Free and low fat! Served with Wheat Thins' Tuscan Herb Flat bread equals one DELICIOUS TREAT!!! Having it first with a friend made it really good!! So meet with that special friend and enjoy a treat!!!
I also brought back a delicious soup that is good for lunch or dinner or as a side! I am going to share the recipe:
CREAM OF BROCCOLI SOUP
2 Heads of Broccoli
4 or 5 carrots
1 onion
2 cloves garlic (optional - which I added)
1 Large Can Cream of chicken soup
3/4 can of milk (2 % works great - use soup can)
1 jar of Tostito Cheese dip (find near the chips)
Take the Broccoli, trim and used only the flowerettes, chop carrots into about 1 inch pieces, and chop onion into several small pieces (or cut in half and slice) Place in covered glass or microwave safe dish and add a couple of tablespoons water and cook until very tender. Drain
Mix the Cream of Chicken soup, milk and cheese dip and start to warm. After vegetables are tender and drained, add to soup mixture. Then take a Hand Blender stick (electric) and blend until vegtables are puree. If you don't have one use a potato masher. The Hand Blender is wonderful for any cream type of dish! The one I bought also has a beater for small jobs, such as whipping whip cream. NOTE: If you've been reading my blog for long - you know I can leave a recipe just as I received it - and the soup is no exception. I added the garlic and also added about 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper. I love the tiny little kick it gives! Also added a little Pensey's Fresh Ground Black Pepper!
I am sitting in front of the TV and 20/20's 911 Memorial was just over. That memory still causes a catch in my heart as I remember where I was when the first tower was hit and the horrific tragedy that occured. 3000 people known dead! We should never forget!!!
I am trying to decide what I want to serve on Wednesday, September 21 to the crowd that comes to church on Wednesday night! I have to let the office know early this week to get it published! I have so many ideas but they all take lots of work!! Well - what is that good if it doesn't take some preparation and work???
Here is a precious story that came in the form of an email. Enjoy and then have a good night!!! Remember - we don't have to do works for God to save us - but we do need to do His Will and that is that we love our fellow mankind!
Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we
Didn’t see some rain soon...we would lose everything. It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my
Six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort ... trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour: walking carefully to the woods, running back to the house.
Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his Mommy checking up on him). He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spill the water he held in them ... maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site.
Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn lying on the ground; obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand. When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree.
I followed him back to the house to a spigot to which we had shut off the water. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me: The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him. It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him.
His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, other drops...and more drops...and more suddenly joined them. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride.
Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. Those miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that... I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like the actions of one little boy saved another.
I don't know if anyone will read this...but I had to send it out. To honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon... But not before showing me the true face of God, in a little, sunburned body.
*~THAT'S GOD ~*
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
THAT'S GOD! He speaks to you through the Holy Spirit
Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to
Talk to?
THAT'S GOD! He wants you to speak to Him.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?
THAT'S GOD! There's no such thing as coincidence.
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford.
THAT'S GOD. . He knows the desires of your heart. .
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it?
THAT'S GOD! He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.
DO YOU THINK THAT THIS CARD WAS ACCIDENTALLY SENT TO YOU?
NOPE!
Please pass this along and share the Power of God.
In all that we do, we need to totally give HIM Thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.
NOW THAT'S GOD!!!!!!!!
Don't tell GOD how Big your storm is.
Tell the storm how Big your GOD is!
HAVE A BLESSED DAY
GOD LOVES YOU
The other "adventure" was when Mary told me that her landscaper had told her that pine nuts come from Pinon' trees. They have numerous Pinon' trees in their yard (7400 feet above sea level) so we went hunting for pine nuts. We found these little round balls with wrinkles and started breaking them open and there they were "pine nuts!" Well - we will never complain again about the price of pine nuts. Oh my goodness, sticky mess that our hands were. It was some type of resin and fingernail polish would not cut it -- we finally had to use Goo Be Gone. Lesson learned - buy the pine nuts - don't get the big idea of picking them!!!
Had a wonderful three days, but was happy to be back with my precious family!!!
Another great "non cook" hint for parties or for a wonderful snack with friends. At WalMart of all places - there is a dip by Sabra called Roasted Pine Nut Hummus. It is delicious - they have several flavors but I have only tried this one. It is Gluten Free and low fat! Served with Wheat Thins' Tuscan Herb Flat bread equals one DELICIOUS TREAT!!! Having it first with a friend made it really good!! So meet with that special friend and enjoy a treat!!!
I also brought back a delicious soup that is good for lunch or dinner or as a side! I am going to share the recipe:
CREAM OF BROCCOLI SOUP
2 Heads of Broccoli
4 or 5 carrots
1 onion
2 cloves garlic (optional - which I added)
1 Large Can Cream of chicken soup
3/4 can of milk (2 % works great - use soup can)
1 jar of Tostito Cheese dip (find near the chips)
Take the Broccoli, trim and used only the flowerettes, chop carrots into about 1 inch pieces, and chop onion into several small pieces (or cut in half and slice) Place in covered glass or microwave safe dish and add a couple of tablespoons water and cook until very tender. Drain
Mix the Cream of Chicken soup, milk and cheese dip and start to warm. After vegetables are tender and drained, add to soup mixture. Then take a Hand Blender stick (electric) and blend until vegtables are puree. If you don't have one use a potato masher. The Hand Blender is wonderful for any cream type of dish! The one I bought also has a beater for small jobs, such as whipping whip cream. NOTE: If you've been reading my blog for long - you know I can leave a recipe just as I received it - and the soup is no exception. I added the garlic and also added about 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper. I love the tiny little kick it gives! Also added a little Pensey's Fresh Ground Black Pepper!
I am sitting in front of the TV and 20/20's 911 Memorial was just over. That memory still causes a catch in my heart as I remember where I was when the first tower was hit and the horrific tragedy that occured. 3000 people known dead! We should never forget!!!
I am trying to decide what I want to serve on Wednesday, September 21 to the crowd that comes to church on Wednesday night! I have to let the office know early this week to get it published! I have so many ideas but they all take lots of work!! Well - what is that good if it doesn't take some preparation and work???
Here is a precious story that came in the form of an email. Enjoy and then have a good night!!! Remember - we don't have to do works for God to save us - but we do need to do His Will and that is that we love our fellow mankind!
NOW THAT'S GODIt was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through.
Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we
Didn’t see some rain soon...we would lose everything. It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my
Six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort ... trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour: walking carefully to the woods, running back to the house.
Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his Mommy checking up on him). He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spill the water he held in them ... maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site.
Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn lying on the ground; obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand. When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree.
I followed him back to the house to a spigot to which we had shut off the water. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me: The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him. It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him.
His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, other drops...and more drops...and more suddenly joined them. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride.
Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. Those miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that... I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like the actions of one little boy saved another.
I don't know if anyone will read this...but I had to send it out. To honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon... But not before showing me the true face of God, in a little, sunburned body.
*~THAT'S GOD ~*
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
THAT'S GOD! He speaks to you through the Holy Spirit
Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to
Talk to?
THAT'S GOD! He wants you to speak to Him.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?
THAT'S GOD! There's no such thing as coincidence.
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford.
THAT'S GOD. . He knows the desires of your heart. .
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it?
THAT'S GOD! He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.
DO YOU THINK THAT THIS CARD WAS ACCIDENTALLY SENT TO YOU?
NOPE!
Please pass this along and share the Power of God.
In all that we do, we need to totally give HIM Thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.
NOW THAT'S GOD!!!!!!!!
Don't tell GOD how Big your storm is.
Tell the storm how Big your GOD is!
HAVE A BLESSED DAY
GOD LOVES YOU
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