Simple-Southern-Suburbia

Simple Addition

2012-02-07T03:39:00.000-08:00

My mom in the hospital +

one with pink eye and sinus infection +

one throwing up +

packing for a field trip =

my Monday

Cupcake Party

2012-02-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

For her 7th birthday, my youngest decided on a cupcake party. I would make the cupcakes, the girls would decorate. This was the easiest, happiest party we've ever done! The girls had a great time, they stayed busy the entire time, and everyone got along beautifully. I limited the number of kids to the number of chairs we had around the table--six. That was the perfect number. I think that's going to be my standard rule for kids' parties from here on out.

These are the invitations that we made. I just used some pretty scrapbooking paper in the colors that she liked. I traced around a large lid for circles that I cut in two for the icing, traced around a coke bottle top for the "cherry", and used the hole punch on some trimmings from the scrapbook paper for the sprinkles. We then drew a number seven with a glue stick and added glitter. The party information was on the back.

Hobby Lobby's Christmas ribbon includes lots of colors besides green and red. Check it when they have their after-Christmas markdown and stock up on colors for the year. That's where I got the pink ribbon I added to the back of the chairs.

I found cupcake stickers that I added to plain bags and wrote their names on each one. I added another sticker to each napkin. Snacks were served in mini cupcake wrappers. Also at Hobby Lobby, I picked up these little wooden cupcake ornaments that were in their Valentines Day merchandise for the girls to decorate. I also found kits to make your own candy necklaces.

Here is one of the brooches we made for each girl. She got to design each one. We used large and small cupcake wrappers, old buttons and trim.

The table was set with different types of sprinkles and toppings. We also made cupcake bracelets out of craft foam. Hope this gives you some inspiration for your next party. Super simple makes it super fun.

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Grey Hair

2012-02-02T07:09:00.000-08:00

Wanna know why women get grey hair?

They have sons.

Only a son watches a BMX stunt show at school and says to himself, "No problem, I can do that."

But the cuts and bruises from that, and a skateboard fall earlier in the day, weren't enough.

There's always room for more drama when you're a boy's mama.

Only a son has to get his head examined (literally) for running into a metal pole on the playground. Not once. But twice.

At least this time he picked a different playground.

Remember that old commercial where the boy asks the wise old owl how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?

At our house, we're asking how many licks can one kid take to his head before his mom starts making him wear a helmet every time he leaves.

If you see a kid in class or at the mall wearing normal clothes and a football helmet...he's mine.

Super Simple Snack Idea

2012-02-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

I needed to make something snack-y for lunch boxes this week but was low on eggs. This is what I came up with and it turned out super yummy and was really simple. It's made from a cake mix but tastes like a cookie. Only four ingredients. What more could you want?

Chocolate Chip Bars

1 box butter recipe cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 (11 oz) pkg chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease your 13x9 pan. Combine cake mix, eggs and butter until blended. Fold in chips. Press into pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes. Cool then cut into bars.

Add nuts if you want. Make variations as well.
Use chocolate cake mix for double chocolate chip bars or mint chocolate for mint chocolate chip bars. You get the idea.

Committed (No, not to the mental ward)

2012-01-31T10:24:00.000-08:00

Although that's probably where some of you suspected I've been...and maybe I should have because sometimes it feels like I need to be.

I've been getting lots of requests lately to get back to blogging and here I am. I knew it'd been a while, but I didn't realize how long until I looked at the date on my last post. I was shocked!

Guess it's been longer than I had remembered. I always have thoughts rumbling around that I want to share with you or ideas or pictures. I just never seem to get that far.

Not today.

Today I get it done.

Together again!

Let's talk about one of those rumbly thoughts--commitment.

The reason for my pondering is Proverbs 16:3
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

In our get rich quick success driven culture, this seems like the perfect verse. Call it God's and it'll be golden. I really don't think it works that way.

I know there's a lot of good, godly people that, as we say in the south, don't have a pot to pee in. For those of you in the rest of the world, that means they are poor. The world definitely wouldn't define them as successful. It must be more than monetary, success equals more than stuff.

There's more to commitment as well.

When I promise myself I'm going to lose weight or I'm going to be more organized or I'm going to....my plans always end up falling apart. Why?

I promised myself. And my self always ends up going back to its old ways. But committing my plans to the Lord, that's a different story.

Numbers 23:19 tells us, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He not speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?"

When God commits to it, it gets done. Instead of making a commitment to myself to do something, I need to commit my plan to Him. What does it mean to commit something?

Dictionary definition of commit: (1) do, perform, or be guilty of; (2) to place in the charge or keeping of another; entrust; (3) to place in confinement or custody; (4) to give over, entrust; (5) to bind or obligate, as by a pledge

Whatever I do, whatever change I want to see, whatever plans I want to make for the future, I have to make a conscious choice. If I want to succeed, I have to (1) make an active decision to (2)place those plans in God's keeping. And then I have to (3) think of them as locked away and not try to take over as soon as God's way of getting me there isn't the way I would have chosen or the easiest way to travel. I have to (4) give over my illusion that I'm smarter than He is when it comes to what's best for me and simply trust. Finally, I have to rest in the knowledge that when I do my part, He'll do His. Because, when I hand over my plans and (5)pledge them to Him, He ALWAYS keeps His promises.

One last thing to note in this verse--the verb tense. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do..." This verse involves action.

We can't just think about it and have success. We have to do. I can dream up a book, a movie, a great business and a mile-long To Do list--all before breakfast. But nothing ever becomes of any of it because the thoughts flit through my mind and that's where I leave them. As thoughts.

I might sometimes go so far as to jot down ideas, but that doesn't cut it either. It is only when we commit to action, when we 'do', that we have any real hope of success. Look up one verse to 16:2 and you'll see, God knows our heart.

There's a big difference between want to and will do.

And the 'will do' is the only thing that will do any good.

What are you committed to today?

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." II Chronicles 16:9

Lessons from a Blackberry Vine

2011-10-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have a problem with blackberries. Not the yummy ones I put in cobbler, the wild blackberry vine that is trying its best to take over my yard.

It has been a bitter war and there have been casualties, namely my pretty hydrangea. While I've spent countless hours battling my dreaded invader I've had plenty of time to ruminate on something.

Sin is a whole lot like that blackberry vine. Here are some of the similarities I've come up with.

Trying to get rid of it is painful.

It doesn't want to go.

You can easily break off little pieces, but when that's all you do the root remains.

The thorns get bigger and it's harder to get to as you get closer to the root problem.

Sometimes the branches that others see look like they've died but down at the bottom and in the roots it's still growing.

It invades whatever is around it until it choked it out and eventually kills it.

It can only be stopped by the gardener's intervention.

It costs the gardener effort, time, and it is a painful process for the gardener.

Once it's gone, however, it's better for the other plants.

The children no longer have to look out for its thorns.

And after the tangled mess is cleared away, you find hidden treasures that were lost.

And there's room for beautiful new things to blossom.

Hope your garden is weed free!

Question

2011-10-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

This is the question I encountered this morning in my Bible study's guidebook.

What do you think about the idea of living for God and having your life be an offering to Him?

My response?

It is my goal for each day but often fails to be my reality.

We live each day by the grace of God.

We should also live each day for the glory of God.

What say you?

Why Yes, I Am Still Alive

2011-10-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

I know, it's been a looooooooong time since I posted. At least it feels that way to me. Oh the guilt that I have toted around for that but there's been stuff going on and my mind just wasn't in it.

Where was my mind? I don't know, I lost it.

No, really I was sick. First a month long bought of respiratory infection and then, just when I'm feeling well, I get some shockeroo news.

My iron levels were plummeting. There was blood in my stool. They were referring me to a specialist.

Not great news for someone with a strong family history of colon cancer.

Anyway, after the drinking of the medicine (I never want anything cherry flavored again) and the ordeal of the prep (which didn't seem as bad as the cherry drink), I had my colonoscopy.

They didn't find anything we expected. I got an A-OK from the doctor. Actually, I stayed awake and watched the whole thing. I wanted to see for myself. It wasn't the dreaded experience I thought it'd be.

I know the great outcome was due to all of those who were praying. I went in prepared for the worst and got surprised with good news. My other bloodwork came back good as well.

For now, I'm coming off of some of my iron and waiting to see if it stays up in the normal range.

And in other news, I cut off my hair. Well actually it was Sandy my hairdresser. But I like it. It just takes some getting used to. No pix today. It's raining and my hair's curly crazy. I'll save that post for another day.

Speaking of the rainy weather, it's making me crave chili. The rain and Jen's beautiful fall post. Be sure to check out her blog. She takes the best pictures.

That's all for me for now. Enough news for one day.

I'll meet you back here tomorrow.

What's in There?

2011-09-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some verses that I came across yesterday morning during my quiet time. I love it when I find a verse that really speaks to me and then flip somewhere else and find another that goes along with it. It's like God is saying, "You like that one? Come check out this one I've got." And then we're off on a study together. Ever have times like that? Well, this is the result of mine.

II Chronicles 3:16-17 "I have chosen and consecrated this temple sa that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."

Thank You Lord that, just like in the temple of old, Your Holy Spirit dwells in believers today.

II Corinthians 6:16 "...For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people.'"

How amazing and sobering to know that in us too will always be Your eyes and Your heart. You are always seeing what I do with the life You've given me, and You can also see my intents and my thoughts. Maybe if I thought more on the fact then I'd be more careful and purposeful in my actions. If I really stopped and thought about that I'm going to do this or say this or even think this with God watching, would I still be willing to go ahead with it?

Not only that, but in us is the very heart of God. From it all my motivations and ultimately my actions should flow. That's how His church grows and He reaches out to the world, when someone like you or me, with a heart full of His love, tells someone else or teaches or meets a need. It takes His eyes to see and His heart to love but He uses my hands to accomplish and my feet to go.

I Corinthians 3:16-17 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."

A sacred temple. When was the last time I looked in the mirror and thought of that? This side of never. How do I care for this sacred temple? Am I neglecting it or abusing it with my habits and eating choices and thus bringing destruction on myself? I'm feeling a little conviction on that one.

I Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Life Rules

2011-09-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

Meredith was in her room playing with her white board. I asked it what she'd written and she said it was rule for how people should be.

It says:

This is good for you!!!!

1. Be nice

2. Shar (share)

3. Help the persin ho neds help!!!!! (help the person who needs help)

I think even though she's only six she really did a good job. Out of the mouth of babes...

I'm going to visit Sue at Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com and hope you will too.

Cut It Out

2011-08-31T06:23:00.000-07:00

I was working in one of my flowerbeds yesterday pruning away some of the dead parts of the flowers that had left it looking like a spindly brown mess.

It reminded me of conversations I've had with my neighbor. I'm more of a perennial planter. She's an annual gal. She prefers the fullness I get from flowers but says she can't stand not to rip plants out when they finish blooming.

As I was snipping away I was very thankful that God doesn't share Mrs. Brenda's plant policy. We flower and flourish in our faith and then we go through some dry patches or wilt in the heat of trial. These fluctations leave us with some spindly patches of unproductive "dead wood" in our lives.

He patiently and tenderly cuts away at those things, sometimes even the parts that once were lovely, to leave us healthier, stronger, and ready to take on the winters that are to come.

When we shy away from the shears everyone notices. Our neglected spot are apparent to the passerby. And, the places that need tending are brittle. A little lopping and we look better, we feel better and we are extraordinarily more productive.

So I'm thankful for the pruning process. It has many times been hard, sometimes cost me things or relationships that I held very dear, but it is necessary.

And it sure beats ending up in the compost pile.

Chicken-N-Dumpling Super Star

2011-08-30T05:05:00.000-07:00

I made chicken and dumplings for supper last night. With a household full of snifflers, I thought a little comfort food was in order. I thought they'd like it, I just didn't realize how much.

They all smelled it cooking and came running to find out what it was. When I told them, they carried on like I told them they'd won the showcase on the Price is Right.

There was literally singing and dancing involved.

All for the love of chicken and dumplings.

I got the recipe from one of my Lady and Sons cookbooks, but you can also get the recipe by clicking http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/view2/chicken_dumplings

I didn't use the bay leaves. They aren't a favorite of everyone in the house and the taste didn't suffer at all without them. I also used boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead and it was fine (quicker and healthier too).

It was my first stab at homemade dumplings and, even though I rolled them out to what I thought was thin enough, they were thick and kind of chewy. Totally yummy, but next time I'll keep rolling until my arms fall off and they feel paper thin (the noodles, not my arms). I'll also cut my noodles smaller.

If you're feeling the need for a little comfort, or maybe hear the people in your house singing your praise, whip up a batch of chicken and dumplings today.

Menus, MORE and Breakfast in Store

2011-08-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long. I've been sick AGAIN. The kids got their annual back to school cold and they shared it with me. With me, however, there's no such thing as a simple cold. God has blessed me in many ways but a great immune system was not on the list. Oh well, we've all got our stuff.

Finally after a week and a half I started to feel more like myself last night. I did make a breakfast casserole to bake this morning. I thought it'd be a good start for the kids for back to school. You make it up the night before and then bake it the next day. Keep in mind it does take a long time to bake. It worked out perfectly for me since I'm such an early riser, but for y'all who sleep past the crack of dawn, you might want to wait until the weekend to serve it.

Breakfast Casserole

1 lb. sausage
1 tsp. mustard powder
1/2 tsp. season salt
4 eggs, beaten
2 c. milk
6 slices bread, toasted & cubed
2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

Crumble and cook sausage until brown; drain. In a bowl, mix mustard, season salt, eggs and milk. Add sausage, bread and cheese. Stir to coat. Pour into greased 13x9 pan. Refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover and bake 45-60 minutes (I did mine 1 hour). Uncover and reduce heat to 325 degrees. Bake 30 minutes more.

Menus for the Week--

Monday--Chicken & Dumplings, Black Eyed Peas, Pear Salad
Tuesday--Ham & Pasta Bake, Carrots, Biscuits
Wednesday--Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
Thursday--Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread
Friday--Roast, potatoes, carrots, biscuits, fig preserves
Saturday--out to eat
Sunday--homemade pizza

Shaking Things Up

2011-08-19T06:07:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of verses to shake things up this morning...

Psalm 62:1-2 "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."

Hebrews 12:25-29 "See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, 'Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.' The words 'once more' indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"

How wonderful to know that no matter how many shake ups come in this world, we will never be shaken.

New Week, New Food, New Sites to See

2011-08-15T03:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, here are the menu ideas for this week:

Monday--Enchilada Bake, Refried Beans, Corn
Tuesday--Chicken in Cream Sauce, Green Bean Casserole, Rolls, Fruit Salad
Wednesday--Pork Chops Mojo, Baked Potatoes, Sour Cucumbers
Thursday--Cubed Steak and Gravy, Rice, Sliced Tomatoes, Rolls
Friday--out-to-eat
Saturday--homemade pizza
Sunday--leftovers

I also wanted to share with you about a new site that one of our friends has. Sweet Cheryl has created a new blog and here's the link. http://whengodwhispers-mochamama.blogspot.com/ Be sure to visit her this week.

Peter Piper Picked a Peck...

2011-08-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if I'll have pickled peppers like the nursery rhyme says, but I've got to do something with all these peppers. My garden was fairly poor this year because of too much heat and too little attention. The one thing that managed to thrive despite my neglect was the peppers.

(Although, I did do well with potatoes and will definitely plant more next time.)

I did find a whole book on cooking with peppers at that library sale I love. Hopefully I'll find something to do with them all since the ones in the pictures are just a few of the ones I have (and that's a big basket). I've got more coming in, lots in the freezer too.

Now that the kids are in school I'll have to get busy making pepper jelly, pepper relish, pepper sauce, pepper.......

Chicken Salad and Other Yummies for the Week

2011-08-08T02:47:00.000-07:00

It's Monday again. If it keeps coming around any quicker, it'll be Monday every other day. I'm thankful for the weekend and a little bit of respite before the craziness of a new week. I've listed my menu for the week followed by my recipe for Pecan Chicken Salad.

Hope you enjoy them.

Monday--Pecan Chicken Salad, mandarin oranges in Jello, roll
Tuesday--ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, salad, biscuits
Wednesday--out to eat
Thursday--meatballs with alfredo sauce, pasta, italian-style green beans, breadsticks
Friday--homemade pizza
Saturday--fish fry
Sunday--leftovers

Pecan Chicken Salad

3 c. diced, cooked chicken
1 c. diced celery
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. minced onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1 c. grapes, halved
1/2 c. cubed apples
1 c. chopped pecans
lettuce to serve it on

Combine first five ingredients; stir well. Cover and chill at least one hour. Add remaining ingrediets, toss well. Serve on bed of lettuce. Serves 6. You may also substitute cooked turkey for the chicken.

Cornerstone

2011-08-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

Back when I was in high school and lived in another town we went to a little church and I sang in the youth choir. You know it had to be a little church to let me sing in the choir. They wouldn't even let me sing in third grade chorus. Let's just say I'm musically challenged. Anyway, one song we sang always stuck in my head--"Cornerstone."

This morning when I was having my quiet time I was reading a book to go along with my Bible reading. It's one I picked up at an estate sale. It's called the "New Bible Dictionary" although I don't think it's too new since it was published in 1962. It has been really interesting reading some of the historical information that goes along with biblical passages.

Anyway, as I was reading (I'm up to architecture in the dictionary) it mentioned the cornerstone and that's what I wanted to talk about today.

I Peter 2:4-6 "As you come to Him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him--you also are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says, 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."

Ephesians 2:19-22 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit."

Here's what the New Bible Dictionary had to say, "The 'cornerstone' in I Peter 2 was the block at the corner of the foundation whose true shape and accurate laying determined the symmetry and lay-out of the whole structure."

Isn't that interesting? His true shape (like His true character) and His accurate laying (His laying down of His life in accordance with all the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah) determined the symmetry (the way it fits together) and lay-out (function and flow) of the whole structure (His church).

Not only that, but we are also part of the spiritual house, a dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. How awesome is that! That same One who laid the foundation for the church has laid the foundation for our spiritual life to be built up. He wants to build us up so that our whole structure resembles the one He has layed down.

We rise to become a temple. A temple in which the God of all dwells and we serve as priests, offering spiritual sacrifices.

How often do we remember what we were truly meant to be?
How many times today will we be willing to make spiritual sacrifices?

May we remember as we go through our day and make our choices and interact with the world around us just who it is that is holding us up and is the foundation for all we do. And who it is that is in us. We never have to be put to shame.

Cookies for Back to School

2011-08-04T03:10:00.001-07:00

We're gearing up for school this week. Yes, we start back early down here. I guess it's too hot to do anything else. So if they've got to be back at work, we might as well make it sweet. Here's a great recipe that Jack likes to help me make. They make large cookies, great for sending one in a lunchbox or for something special when they get home.

Jack's Jumbo Triple Chippers

4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. butter, softened
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. pecans or walnuts, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and baking soda. Beat butter and sugars in a mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add in flour mixture. Stir in chips and nuts. Drop dough onto greased cookie sheets by level 1/4 measuring scoop (told you they were bigger). Bake for 12-14 minutes. Cool on sheets 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks and cool completely. Makes 2 dozen large cookies.

The recipe would probably give you at least 4 dozen regular size cookies if you want to use a regular cookie scoop.

Over the River and Through the Woods

2011-08-02T02:50:00.000-07:00

Over the river...

...and through the woods...

...We weren't going to grandma's house. We were going home.
We took the scenic route for a while down the Blue Ridge Parkway.
It was pretty, but more for retirees than a car full of are-we-there-yetters.
Be sure you get on with a full tank of gas and an empty bladder.
The song that goes "Long and Winding Road" pretty much sums it up.

That's the last vacation picture.
I promise.

Back in the Routine

2011-08-01T03:13:00.000-07:00

This summer has really gone quickly. It's hard to believe the kids start back to school later this week! With the sickness and surgeries it hasn't been a big adventure this summer, but we have enjoyed our time together and I'm hoping for much healthier kids this year.

Back to school means back to my normal routine. I'm trying to gear up to our hectic morning pace. I'm also back to planning a little better for our menus. Here's what we've got this week.

Monday--Stuffed Shells, tossed salad, french bread
Tuesday--Grilled pork chops, buttered potatoes, peas, biscuits
Wednesday--BLT and chips, fresh fruit
Thursday--Crockpot chicken and vegetables, rolls, applesauce
Friday--Out to eat
Saturday--Homemade pizza
Sunday--Leftovers

Lessons in the Desert

2011-07-29T03:06:00.000-07:00

For today's Food for Thought Friday let's take a look at Exodus 15:22-27.

Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days into the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"

Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet.

There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.

They came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped beside the waters.

Sometimes God leads us into what looks like hopeless circumstances that come with bitter consequences (like a budget deal in Congress). What choice do we make? Do we, like the Israelites, grumble in despair or do we choose to trust? We must keep our focus on the fact that He has led us this far. Let's dissect these verses and see what we can learn from the Israelites' journey to help us along on ours.

We'll start with verse 22. God was leading His people in victory. If you look back in the previous chapter of Exodus you will see it is a song of praise about their miraculous deliverance from the Egyptians and from their life of slavery.

What is God's first act after parting the Red Sea and defeating the Egyptian army? He leads them straight from triumph to testing. We find in verse 23 that they first experience after amazing victory was literally bitter disappointment.

Why would God do that? Why wouldn't He use their enthusiastic adrenaline to conquer those waiting territories? The answer is that God is not so concerned about getting ahead as He is about getting to the heart. They had already conquered their enemies on the outside, it was time to confront the enemy within.

God leads us into our own desert of Shur so we can be sure to understand that He alone is the one who saves and sustains us. The Israelites have just witnessed God's miraculous provision--they've had a cloud by day and fire by night to guide them, the sea just washed away their enemies--so what is their response to their first obstacle? They grumbled. In their favor, at least they grumbled and waited.

Too often we come to a place of testing and we find the water is bitter. We are supposed to wait for God to provide. Instead we simply grit our teeth and pour ourselves a big glass and then wonder why we are left feeling bitter. So many of the situations we feel bitter about are ones God never intended for us to end up in!

Did you wait for His deliverance or did you work through it in your own power? Sometimes He'll lead us to the edge of a precipice in order to show us His ability to make a new way and lead us to greater heights. All too often we reach that place and jump head first off the cliff and then complain when we're lying broken and bleeding in the dark valley. Grumbling isn't good, but neither is going our own way.

What was the response to grumbling? Verse 25 tells us that Moses cried out to God and God pointed out the provision He had already made for their problem. Notice what He used to clear up the water--a tree. A tree takes years to grow. There is no telling how many years beforehand God had put that very tree in its place in anticipation of that day with the Israelites. He wasn't leading them on some wild goose chase in the desert just to see how much they could take. He had specific places, specific purposes and specific provisions. And what does it say in verse 25? The waters became sweet. He didn't just provide the necessities, He gave a treat.

We learn at the end of verse 25 and into verse 26 that God had led them there, not to be unkind or uninvolved, but to give them an object lesson about who He is. He was explaining in tangible terms what He wanted from them (listening to Him, heeding His commands, trusting Him to provide), what He would do for them in return (put none of the diseases on them, make a way for them) and revealing a part of His character to them (healer).

He provided a sweet rescue from a bitter experience. Then He led them on to a sweet reward. Verse 27 reveals that He led them to a new place filled with water and fruit and a place for them to rest.

Want to know something ironic? Elim is only seven miles from Marah. Elim was God's destination all along. The people stopped short of God's intention by seven miles, but in His mercy and foresight God provided for their physical and spiritual needs.

How often do we stop short at the first thing we come to when He is really asking us to hold on for a few more miles? We sit and grumble over the bitterness when we could go on and experience the sweet.

God will lead us by some bitter waters. But they are never our destinations! We are merely meant to pass by and learn from them on our way to our reward.

Some of us have come to those waters, drank from them and made our homes there. We've been left bitter from it in the desert of our souls, parched and short of where God intended us to be. We cannot undo our choices but we can change our responses.

It is never too late to let God turn the bitter to sweet.

It is never too late to pack up and move on down the road.

After all, it's only seven miles.

Cherries

2011-07-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

I picked up these cherries at the store the other day. We've been eating them plain but last night I got a hankering to try something different. I'm dieting and was wanting a little something sweet so I melted a little butter in a saucepan (about 1 teaspoon) and added 1 cup of pitted cherries, about 2 teaspoons of Splenda brown sugar and a pinch of salt. I cooked it just long enough to warm the cherries and make a glaze.

It turned out pretty well, just enough sweet to calm the craving. But the thing that I thought would be best--eat it on oatmeal. Tomorrow I'm going to make it again and add it to a bowl of oatmeal. Cherry Oatmeal Deluxe. Yum.

It'd also be good with plain yogurt and topped with granola.

Thought I'd share the idea with you all. I'm linking up with Rednesday since Sue does love cherries. =)

http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

DC Visit...We Didn't Catch a Glimpse of Compromise

2011-07-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

A few pictures from our day in Washington.

Riley took this of the Washington Monument.

Checking at the fossils at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum.

Now those are some big Jaws. How would you like to go fishing and catch that?

Up close and personal. Meredith takes a look at some nature photography on display.

A Ride in the Country

2011-07-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

These are some of the pictures I took as we travelled the back roads

of Pennsylvania in Amish country.

My dream house!

A heron wading in a stream.

This is a farm across from an Amish store I like to go to on our trips.

And here's one in Maryland. The Brick Meeting House in Calvert, Maryland.

Woulda, Shoulda

2011-07-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

This is the blog post I had planned to use last week while I was gone. Alas, I couldn't get it to work while I was away. Me and my blogging skills. So here it is anyway.

This was my thought at the beginning of vacation.

Can you tell I was a little tired of being stuck inside with sick kids all summer?

I got these great pics from this book, 'Retro Housewife', that I found at our library's backdoor book sale. Only 50 cents. It's chock full of great vintage pictures from old advertisements.

I'm linking with our friends for Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Blueberry Picking

2011-07-19T09:39:00.001-07:00

While on riding around one day on vacation we spied a sign for u-pick blueberries.

Blueberries are Meredith's favorite food.

It was a gorgeous farm with rolling land full of blueberries, a lane that led to a beautiful old farmhouse with a pond full of geese and then on to a peach orchard. It was a dream spot.

This is looking up the hill at one of the old barns.

She's in blueberry heaven.

One of her favorite books is even 'Blueberries for Sal'.

Even her brothers, who aren't the greatest fans of blueberries, decided they liked them.

Be sure to check out the recipe pages on the blog to find my Blueberry Breakfast Bake recipe!

Unpacking

2011-07-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

Home again from our vacation. I didn't take a whole lot of pictures but I do have a few to share with y'all. I'll start those tomorrow. Today I'm still busy unpacking, the camera will have to wait. I figured I would slow down long enough to share what I'm cooking.

Monday--Lemon & Garlic Chicken, creamed corn, green beans, rolls, Grammie's pickels
Tuesday--Stuffed Peppers, Mom Moms Fruit Salad, rolls
Wednesday--Bacon, eggs, waffles
Thursday--Grilled steaks, baked potatoes, sliced tomatoes
Friday--Chicken Salad, chips, fresh fruit
Saturday--homemade pizzza
Sunday--leftovers

See ya tomorrow!

Tea Party for Two

2011-07-08T20:21:00.001-07:00

Meredith's "bestest friend in the world" Kate came for a visit this week. Meredith had just finished a book from the library called 'Tea Party for Two' and thought it would be fun to have one of her own. There was a picnic basket, pink cloth, peanut butter and honey sandwiches because they're Kate's favorite, grapes, crackers and cupcakes. There was no tea at the tea party, just like in the book. They chose apple juice.

Here are the ladies under a shady tree enjoying their cupcakes--pink sprinkles of course.

Oh darling, they're so divine!

Happy Pink Saturday. May it be as sweet as a cupcake. May you find a shady spot and enjoy the company of a good friend. Visit some of your blogging friends at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Food for Thought--Attitude is Everything

2011-07-08T02:55:00.000-07:00

I seem to be camped in Genesis for part of my quiet time each day. I decided to go back to the beginning and study it piece by piece. It's been a little slow going which is good sometimes. I thought I'd share a few ideas from one of my days ruminations.

Genesis 4:1-7

Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man." Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry and his face was downcast.

Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

The willingness of our offering determines our relationship. Whether it's our tithe, our time, our family or the fruit of our hands--our attitude toward it in relation to God determines the relationship we can have with Him.

(Now I'm not talking salvation, no offering earns that. It is freely given. Ephesians 2:8-9 plainly tells us, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.") I'm not talking about an offering in order to have a relationship, I'm talking about the attitude of our offering determining the outcome of our relationship.

If I'm busy looking out for me, me, me I can't look up and see Him. If I look to Him first, He will look with favor on me. Cain brought some of what he had when he got around to it. Abel brought the best portion of the firstborn.

What really interested me the most in this passage was the back and forth between God and Cain. The unrighteous deny God His right (afterall, God provided Cain with the life, the talent and the resources, why shouldn't he say thank you with an offering?) and then get angry when He doesn't give them the same blessings the believer receives. Isn't that just the way? People want to ignore God or deny that He even exists but the second they think He did them wrong they want to get angry with Him.

Even then, God is concerned with our attitude. He faithfully instructs those who are doing wrong and warns them of the consequences of their actions. It wasn't a matter of Abel was good and God loved hime and Cain was bad and God didn't love him. God loved them both. God wanted the best from both, but more importantly FOR both. He sees where Cain is headed and He tries to redirect him.

One more interesting thing to point out before we go. Do you see how God starts off his conversation with Cain? It's with a question and not an accusation. That's what He did with Adam in Eden after he'd sinned and it was the method of choice throughout Jesus' ministry.

Maybe I ought to be utilizing it a little (or a lot) more in my conversations as a parent, a spouse and a friend.

How is your attitude for the offering? Or your reaction to God's attitude to you?

Kid-Friendly Recipe

2011-07-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

I made a recipe this week that came from an advertisement for Campbell's Soup. With a couple of modifications it was a big hit with everyone, especially the kids. I thought y'all might like it too.

Creamy Mexican Skillet

1 lb. ground beef
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Tomato Soup
1/2 c. salsa
1/2 c. water
6 flour tortillas (6"), cut into 1" pieces
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c. sour cream
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin powder

I didn't have any tomato soup so I used a 15 oz. can of tomato sauce and omitted the water. Brown ground beef; drain. Stir in soup (or sauce), salsa, water, tortilla pieces, sour cream, chili powder, and cumin powder. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low and cook 5 minutes. Stir and top with cheese. Let cheese melt. Serves 4-6.

Red, White, Blue and Overalls Too

2011-07-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

Here's my Hoosier all decked out for the Fourth of July.

A close-up of my pie rack that my neighbor painted for me.

My old flag painted on wood that I found at a garage sale.

Our dessert for the 4th...Star-Spangled Fruit Tart.

And what could be more American than a little boy in overalls? That's my favorite picture of my youngest son when he was two.

I'm connecting with the others over at Rednesday, even if I am running a little late. That same little fella (now not so little) got a good report from the doctor today. Maybe we'll finally get to celebrate a little summer.

http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Fishing with Grandaddy

2011-06-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

I'm a little late sharing these pictures. I'd taken them with Ry's camera and then we couldn't find it (slid under a seat). Then I was busy with my patient. So here they are--a week late.

They lost their Grandaddy this past year and were really missing him this Father's Day. They all wanted one thing on Father's Day weekend--to go fishing. That was their way of spending a little time with him.

This is the Day

2011-06-24T05:28:00.000-07:00

This morning when I woke up there was a song rattling around in my head. No, sunbeams weren't shining down and birds fluttering around me. It was 4:30 a.m., it was definitely more of a rattling. Rattling nonetheless, there was a song in my head, even though my eyes weren't completely open.

Know what it was? A perky little number based on Psalm 118:24. "This is the day, this the day, this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it...." My sleepy brain didn't finish the rest of the song because, all of the sudden, I had a thought.

This IS the day that the Lord has made. God made it. I made it through another night simply because God chose to make another day.

This day has a purpose. It is part of His plan. He does nothing haphazardly or without thought. This day is intentionally.

And it intentionally includes you and me. That means we have a purpose too. What is mine for today? Not exactly sure. Maybe it's no more than to share this with you and to be nurse to my recovering little fellow.

Once my eyes were open enough, I got my Bible and read the verse from the song and the verses surrounding it. They are verses of victory.

In fact, the footnotes in my study Bible say that when it reads "this is the day", that 'the day' refers to victory. The day of victory.

This is a day of victory.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
He made it for a purpose.
He included us for a reason.
And it is a day of victory.

Now that is something to sing about.

Another Verse, Just Like the First

2011-06-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd better report in. Patient #2 is home from the hospital. His surgery went well this morning. I was afraid his surgery would be worse than his sister's, but he has really surprised me with how well he's done.

At this rate, he'll be all well by tomorrow. Probably not. It took his sister a full two weeks to recover. I'm just waiting for the anesthesia to wear off and the real work to begin. My cousin Sharon gave Meredith a stuffed animal that had a squeaker in it when she had her surgery. That toy turned out to be a life saver. Every time she needed something she just squeaked the toy dog. Ry is now using it for his turn. They have the comfort of a toy and a built-in calling device. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone else who has to play nurse to little ones (and not so little ones) that can't talk.

Flowes in Pink

2011-06-18T05:35:00.000-07:00

Thrift

Mimosa tree blossom

Pretty pink hibiscus given to me by my friend Teresa.

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Have a great weekend!

Food for Thought--The Real Voice

2011-06-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Right now at my house there are rumbles of thunder and one of our famous afternoon thunderstorms is brewing. It reminded me of something I read earlier in the week.

Psalm 29--Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;

worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

the voice of the Lord is majestic.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;

the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;

the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks

and strips the forests bare.

And in His temple all cry, "Glory!"

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;

the Lord is enthroned as King forever.

The Lord gives strength to His people;

the Lord blesses His people with peace.

How often we say we want to hear God speak to us when all we really want is a little confirmation of what we're thinking on our own. The voice of the Lord is so much more than a feel-good moment during a Sunday morning worship service or a certain passage you happen to flip to that 'speaks to you'.

The voice of the Lord is powerful. It thunders. It strikes like lightning to your very heart. It electrifies. It rattles us out of our comfort zone. You cannot remain unchanged by it. It is unmistakable.

Even when it whispers. (I Kings 19:11-19)

On television they're looking for The Voice. Let's remember that we already know where the voice is coming from, and keep an ear open for its distant rumblings.

P.S. Stay tuned next week. I've got something swirling around in my little head. Get ready to join the club!

My New Neighbor

2011-06-14T04:42:00.001-07:00

Meet my new neighbor Izzybelle.

She belongs to Brenda who lives next door. (Brenda is the one who loves to paint, I've shared some photos of things she's painted for me.)

Izzybelle is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

She's so cute I just had to show her to you.

Updates and Uglies

2011-06-13T03:37:00.000-07:00

First off, my comment problems are fixed. Hooray! In fact, the comment part is working better than ever. So now I need lots of comments.

Also, did you visit Pink Saturday this weekend? If you did, you saw that our friend LV from http://livinatmemescorner.blogspot.com/ was featured. How great to see her honored in that way. She always offers such sweet encouragement to the rest of us. Did you know that the LV stands for LaVoice? I bet her mama was hoping for a singer. Can you sing Miss LV?

My mom was also fond of unusual names. Her plan was to name me Cherokee Rose. Thankfully (I think) fate intervened and I ended up plain old Kelly. I just can't imagine someone saying, "Cherokee, where'd you put my socks?"

If you want to check out the post on LV you can do so at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Now for the ugly. One of my vegetable boxes, the one filled with garlic and asparagus, keeps having a spider web in the corner. I keep attempting to knock it down, but to no avail. It's the toughest thing you've ever seen. The spider went one step further and began pulling down the asparagus ferns to use as cover. I knew I had a formidable foe.

I just didn't know how formidable she actually was. Or big. This past week while I was watering she ran out when I got her web wet. She was a

Big

Black

Widow

Nasty, nasty, nasty. Spiders are not my favorite. I called my expert (a.k.a. oldest son Jack) and he spied three egg sacks. Sure enough, all these little black widows came out. We have since established an arachnid eradication program. At least in my vegetable boxes.

On that creepy note, let's think about food.

Monday--Seven Layer Dip, tortilla chips

Tuesday--Roast, potatoes, carrots, rolls

Wednesday--Turkey Salad, croissants, sliced cucumbers

Thursday--Creamy Chicken & Pesto Pasta, tossed salad, rolls

Friday--out to eat

Saturday--homemade pizza

Sunday--leftovers

Vintage Hankies

2011-06-11T15:37:00.000-07:00

My mom gave me some of the vintage hankies that she's collected over the years. I thought I'd share a few with you today, especially pink ones. Most of these are hand tatted or embroidered.

Thanks for visiting. Have a happy Pink Saturday! Visit Beverly and everyone at

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Food for Thought Friday--A Little Reminder

2011-06-10T02:40:00.000-07:00

I read over this passage when I was having my quiet time this morning. Kids are still in bed, Jon's off to work, it's just me, my Bible, and a cup of coffee. It's such a great group of verses I wanted to share them with you as you head off into the weekend. They remind us of who He is, that we have a purpose and a precise place, and of how He wants a relationship with each of us.

Acts 17:24-28 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us. 'For in Him we live and move and have our being.'"

The great God of heaven and earth created you for this exact place, for this precise moment. He is reaching out to you, longing for a relationship. He is not far.

I pray that you do know Him. That you seek Him.

Acts 16:31 "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you,'' declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you..."

Comment Box Gone Crazy

2011-06-09T03:37:00.000-07:00

I've heard from some of you that you can't get through to leave a comment. Guess what? I can't either! Can't even leave a comment on my own blog.

Apparently Blogger is having issues with some of the blogs. Of course mine has to be one of them.

I'm not the only one though. I tried to leave a comment on another blog and it did the same thing.

A couple of you have magical blogging powers and were able to get through. I'll have to quiz you and find out your secrets.

To those who've sat a long time and fiddled with that frustrating screen--

I feel your frustration

and I love ya for trying!!!!

Southern Staples

2011-06-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

My little patient is resting and recuperating. So I'm finally back to the kitchen. I love cooking in the summer when everything is fresh from the garden.

I thought I'd share one of my favorites, a Southern staple--stewed tomatoes. Our tomatoes are really starting to ripen and I had a big bunch ready at the same time. I made this favorite with them and it was out-of-this-world yummy. A big pile of stewed tomatoes served over rice, you don't get any more southern than that. Well, maybe if you served it with a side of cracklin cornbread. But even I'm not that old school southern. Mama don't eat no cracklins.

Making stewed tomatoes is oh so simple. I never use a recipe, it just depends on how many tomatoes I have. If we have a hankering for them in the winter, I simply use a large can of crushed tomatoes. If you're using fresh ones, I'd use about six to eight tomatoes, depending on their size. Peel them, cut them up (preferably over a bowl to save the juices) and dump them in the pot. To this pot you're going to add salt and pepper to taste. I like a generous portion of black pepper in my stewed tomatoes. And the only other ingredient--bacon grease.

Okay, I'm letting you in on a little secret. most good southern cooks I know keep a cup of bacon grease in the refrigerator. Don't turn your nose up, you non-southern gals. It is the essence of yumminess and the secret to good southern cooking. After I cook my bacon (which I do in the microwave) I save the grease in a little coffee cup.

One or two heaping tablespoons should be all you need for this many tomatoes. You add more when you use more tomatoes. That's all there is to it. And you end up with a little pot of heaven.

And speaking of a little bit of heaven...peaches are starting to get ripe down here. We picked the first peach ever off our own peach trees. It was small but the best one EVER.

Have a happy Rednesday. Be sure to visit over at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/
and get you cup full of bacon grease.

Answered Prayer

2011-06-07T17:01:00.000-07:00

Well I said yesterday on the blog that I was praying for rain. I guess someone was listening because it rained yesterday afternoon when there was only a 50% chance (around here that usually means no chance) and AGAIN this afternoon when it wasn't really supposed to rain at all. Thank you, Lord!

Now let's pray for our friends Ruth and Debbie. Ruth is a faithful reader of the blog and a sweet friend. Her daughter Debbie also has a blog, The Early Bird, which you can access from my blog list. Ruth's husband Bill is in the hospital in ICU.

Monday, Monday

2011-06-06T02:43:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share a few more pictures with you today. Everything's really blooming, despite the heat. My poor grass is dying. I really should be watering the yard, but I haven't gotten that far. I keep hoping for a good shower or two, I've yet to get my wish. My yard needs the kind of soaking we get when there's a tropical storm off the coast. Isn't that first one supposed to be named Arlene? Arlene, where are you? I could use a good sprinking.

Jack told me he didn't think I should've planted those black-eyed susan seeds a couple of years ago. We keep having them pop up all over. He said they're getting to be like weeds. If these are my weeds, I'm happy to have them.

This rose bush only puts out a few at a time. The ones that do bloom are very big and last long. I'm not sure of its name.

I don't have a clue what this one is either. It's one of my pretty rescue plants. Lowe's always has a rack with $1.00 plants that are about dead and out of season. I take that as a personal challenge. I've found losts of great stuff on that rack. And 9 times out of 10 the plants bounce back with just a little attention.

I was taking a picture of one of my butterfly bushes for you. This particular bush is right next to a pink seven sisters rose and they kind of twirl together in a pretty display (a.k.a a wild jumble). I was going to take a picture so you could see it, but the butterfly bush's flower looked so pretty up close I thought I'd share that instead. Each blossom is like a little field of flowers. No wonder the butterflies and bees love it so much.

We went for a ride yesterday to a farmstand in a nearby town for some of their homemade peach ice cream. Peaches are coming into season here. I picked a few other vegetables too. Tonight I'm making a peach cobbler. Yum.

Monday--Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Sauteed Squash, Rice, Stewed Tomatoes, Rolls, Peach Cobbler

Tuesday--Cheeseburger Pie, Corn, Salad

Wednesday--Grilled Pork Chops, Creamed Peas and Potatoes, Rolls, Sliced Tomatoes

Thursday--Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Homemade Bruscetta

Friday--Turkey Salad, Croissants, Southern Cucumbers

Saturday--Homemade Pizza

Sunday--Leftovers

Chicken and Roses

2011-06-03T10:10:00.001-07:00

But not necessarily in that order. Not a lot of time for sharing today. I'm still in the midst of fetching ice cream, giving medicine, putting down for naps and playing Polly Pocket. I did want to stop by and share a quick picture from the yard and a new recipe that we tried and everyone liked. To be honest, when I mixed it up I thought they weren't going to care for it. It makes a thick baste that turned rock hard when I put it in the fridge. We heated it up before putting it on the chicken and it tasted great when we grilled it. Oh me of little faith.

Orange-Maple Glazed Chicken

I believe I cut this out of a Taste of Home magazine.

1/3 c. orange juice
1/3 c. maple syrup
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar (I'm out, used apple cide vinegar)
1 1/2 tsp. dijon mayonnaise
1 tsp. salt, divided
3/4 tsp. black pepper, divided
1 Tbsp. minced fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. grated orange peel (I used lemon and added a couple drops of orange extract)
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, syrup, vinegar, mustard, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes (didn't take that long for me, so watch it). Stir in basil and orange peel. Remove from heat; set aside. Sprinkle chicken with remaining salt and pepper. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until chicken juices run clear, basting frequently with orange juice mixture. Serves 6.

Tonsillectomy #1

2011-06-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well, little bit has her tonsils no more. Riley will have his out in a few weeks. She did remarkably well. They give them some medicine to relax them before they go back to the operating room. She had us laughing so hard we were crying with the things she said and did. I'll talk to y'all more a little later, right now I'm off to play nurse.

To Do Tuesday

2011-05-31T03:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a great day, spending time with family, grilling, swimming. We were the most decorated house around. Jon went all out with the flags--at the entrance to the driveway, on the porch, and a big one hanging from the house. He really tries to make Memorial Day special and I'm glad for that. We have many in our family that serve or have served, including my husband.

Here are a few shots from around the yard so you can see how things are looking these days. Being sick, they've blooming despite my lack of her. Nothing to do with a green thumb these days. At times like these, I'm glad I've planted mostly perennials in my beds. Last summer they didn't get much attention and it looks like this summer's shaping up to be the same.

The tomatoes are looking good. We've been eating the cherry tomatoes in salads but yesterday we got our first big tomatoes out of the garden. How nice to have home-grown tomatoes on a burger. Yum!

There are lots of peppers too. Jack kept bringing them home from school from his FFA teacher. This will be the year of the salsa.

Another shot of the Queen Anne's Lace. I just love it, so dainty. The flowering tobacco, whose leaves you can see in the background, shot up to towering heights while I wasn't feeling well. I'll have to get a picture of that for you. It's taller than me, although sadly, we missed most of its blooms.

Now what about menus? I didn't get to it yesterday, but I figured you all already had plans for the day. Here's how the rest of my week is coming together.

Tuesday-Grilled pork chops, asparagus with cheese sauce, leftover potato salad, rolls

Wednesday-Chicken pot pie, applesauce

Thursday-Noodle soup, rolls, fruit salad

Friday-Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sliced tomatoes, green beans, rolls

Saturday-Homemade pizza

Sunday-leftovers

Have a great week!

Pink Saturday Special

2011-05-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

Hi there. I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. That pneumonia really knocked me for a loop. I've had it before, but this one was rough.

Being sick, I missed lots of posts, like Mother's Day. I thought for this Pink Saturday post I would share some of the things that Meredith's class did for Mother's Day. It's all very 'pink' since that's her favorite color.

They invited us to a Mother's Day brunch which was fun. They sang lots of cute songs and served us breakfast casserole and pound cake with fresh strawberries. When I was walking to the class, the wall outside was lined with portraits the kids had made of their moms.

Wanna see me?

I look like I've been to the Tammy Faye Baker School of Cosmetology. At least my accessories match my outfit.

This is the placemat that we had at our table. There's a picture she painted and a description of her mom. Can you read what it says?

"My mother's name is Kelly. My mother is 38 years old. My mother weighs 700 pounds. My mother's favorite food is salid. My mother liks to shop. My mother loves me because I am a prinsas."

How did I get to be 700 pounds eating all that "salid"?

The card says that I'm as pretty as a ladybug and that I'm smart because I can add big numbers. One good thing, I'm always smiling.

Hope you have lots to smile about this weekend. Be sure to check out all the participants at Beverly's Pink Saturday anniversary. http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Not What I Needed

2011-05-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...I said I would be here all week and posting. My heart said yes but my body said no. I've been sick and not getting better. Went back to the doctor today--pneumonia.

So I am here, just not worth much at the moment.

I'll take two antibiotics and call you in the morning.

Flowers

2011-05-19T02:53:00.000-07:00

A few of the things blooming in (or around) my yard.

The first of our peaches.

Red, white and blue hanging baskets.

These two daylillies are just across the fence. They belong to my neighbor Brenda.

She thinned some of hers and shared with me.

Two Mohawk Tuesday

2011-05-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

Here are the hair cuts. Where have my sweet little boys gone?

We've washed and washed, but the red paint just doesn't want to come out.

And here's sister, who always wants in on the picture taking.

On the upside, they've got the look for starting their own punk band.

Monday Miracle

2011-05-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

I guess the miracle is that I'm finally here and posting again. I was gone, my computer had trouble, then Blogger had trouble. My posting last week wasn't meant to be. It felt like a miracle when I got on this morning and everything's working.

Hopefully I'll be here all week this week. You'll probably be tired of me by the end. This week I'll finally be able to show you how to do those monogrammed candles. And I'll have to show you a picture of the boys.

They went to the state archery tournament and all the team got their heads shaved. I now have two boys with mohawks. Thankfully school's almost out down here and they've got all summer to let it grow.

Here's what's cookin' at my house this week--

Monday--Roast, potatoes, carrots, rolls
Tuesday--Chicken Divan, risotto, salad, rolls
Wednesday--Breakfast for supper (pancakes, bacon, eggs)
Thursday--Farmhouse BBQ Muffins, corn on the cob, fruit salad
Friday--Homemade Pizza
Saturday--Grilled Chicken, green beans, pasta salad, peaches
Sunday--Leftovers

Lizard...the Newest Fashion in Earrings

2011-05-10T04:54:00.001-07:00

Here's Riley showing off the latest rage in accessories for you. Don't ask me why he likes to dangle lizards from his ear lobes. It falls into that mysterious category called "boy".

Riley wants you to be sure to notice that the lizard has a forked tail. If there's one thing a boy likes more than a lizard stuck to his ear, it's a mutated lizard stuck to his ear.

They come in small, medium, and gator-sized. The smaller ones blend in with whatever you're wearing, making them the perfect accessory. Act now, supplies are limited.

Finally Back Where I Belong

2011-05-09T02:58:00.000-07:00

It seems that in the couple of weeks that I was out of commission in blog land I managed to miss two major holidays and loads of great stuff. There were so many things I wanted to share, I just didn't have the time...or the brain power. We got a different computer and I couldn't get my pictures to load onto the blog. The pace is slower this week and I was able to slow down long enough to work the kinks out on the computer. Sweet, sweet normalcy.

The major cause of my busy-ness was with the school. I am president of the parent volunteer group at our elementary school and last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. We had something different planned for each day and we made a couple of the gifts for the week.

Here are the cakes from Thursday's Cake and Coffee time. One of the moms sells cakes and did them for us. Didn't she do a great job?

We've misplaced the cord to our industrial size coffee pot, so I had to make many, many little pots of coffee that day. Do you have any idea how long it takes a pot of coffee to brew when you've got a line of ladies waiting? FOREVER!

This is the outside of one of the boxes we made. They were waiting for the teachers on Monday. Each one was a little different. We used those clear plastic crafting boxes with all the compartments. Each compartment was filled with a teacher necessity--rubber bands, paper clips, hand sanitizer, chocolate... We purchased one big book of scrapbook paper and used it to cover the boxes.

The infamous candles. We made over 90. When I went to Meredith's Mother's Day Brunch on Friday each child had drawn of their mom and told what their job was. What did Meredith say? "My mom makes candles." And there was a picture of me surrounded by lots and lots of monagrammed candles.

The leftover paper from our scrapbooking box tops got shredded to make the straw in the bags. (We volunteer moms are thrifty.) The little tag on the bag says, "Thank you for letting your light shine in the hearts of our children."

I'll show you how to make the candles later in the week--super easy. Except when you're doing 93.

Other things we did during the week--

Monday--breakfast from Chick-Fil-A, survival boxes pictured above

Tuesday--salad luncheon (that was a big success, a definite thing to do again)

Wednesday--monogrammed candles

Thursday--cake and coffee

Friday--gift cards and notes from students

We also had daily drawings for teachers and staff of things we'd collected from area businesses. One of the big prizes on Friday was a 1/2 day sub (time off) for two of the teachers. When I went in the class and told the first grade teacher she'd won a 1/2 day sub she got so excited she jumped up and down and squealed. One of the little boys in her class asked, "Why is she so excited about a sandwich?"

That's a little of my time away. I'll share some more later. Have a wonderful Monday. It's great to be back, I've missed you all!

Muddling Through with Menus

2011-04-26T02:43:00.000-07:00

I give up. I've been working and working at adding a video or even pictures and my blog is not cooperating with me. I think I might even have a couple of grey hairs to attribute to the process. I finally came to the conclusion that I'd forget it all and post anyway. A bland post with no pictures is better than no post at all. Right?

The menus for the week include yesterday's since I didn't get that far. Consider it a bonus idea.

Monday--Enchilada Bake, Corn, Jello
Tuesday--Beef Tips in Mushroom Gravy, Rice, Carrots, Rolls
Wednesday--Stuffed Shells, Tossed Salad, Garlic Bread
Thursday--Baked Chicken, Asparagus with Cheese Sauce, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Rolls
Friday--Pork Roast, Potato Supreme, Green Beans, Rolls
Saturday--Homemade Pizza
Sunday--Leftovers

Things are also hectic right now with projects for the PTO. Next Monday I'll share some things (and, please Lord, some pictures) of what we've been doing for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Hopefully I'll be back later in the day to try ONCE AGAIN to load some pictures. I had lots of Easter pictures to share. Oh well, maybe next year. I'll get it all figured out one of these days.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Last Little Bit of Peace

2011-04-22T04:08:00.001-07:00

Hi there. I haven't abandoned y'all this week. It's just been a rather hectic week, plus I'm having computer issues. I tried to upload pictures and/or a video for almost the entire day yesterday. After that, I could use a little peace myself.

This is our last week talking about peace. I'm not quite sure what we'll do next. Last week we ended by talking about our needs being met vs. God saying in Philippians that He'll meet all our needs.

Often times we're too busy stuffing the emptiness we feel full of the wrong things to give Him the room or the time to give us what we need. Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Isaiah 30:18 also tells us, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion for the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait on Him!"

We don't want to wait on Him. We want what we want and we want it now! Stomp, stomp, stomp and a great big pout. Why? Why do we have to have such immediate gratification? Are we afraid He won't give us our fair share if we don't hurry up and take it? Are we afraid He's senile and will forget us? Are we afraid He doesn't really care at all?

It could be any of those we fear. It could be all of those that eat at us and cause us to doubt and rob us of peace. We must hold onto truth instead. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

We should not be anxious. What we should do is let Him know our troubles, for they surely come, but do so in a manner of praise, knowing He has the power to accomplish the job and the love that spurs Him to do it. When we're willing to do that, the peace that he supplies is beyond all understanding. We'll find that when we take our focus off "me, me, me" that He is actually better suited for the job of handling me than we are.

We focus on what we lack in material things or appearance or in personality. He sees what is best in us. He sees all the great things He created us to be. He sees all we are capable of being, all the possibilities that lay before us, and most importantly for believers, He sees His Son.

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart,'" Jeremiah 29:11-13.

It says 'search for me', as in God, not me the person. We don't need some self-help book or to go off in search of some inspirational guru to 'find ourselves'. We have all the help we need in one book and God knows right where we are.

Remember Isaiah 30:18? He longs to be gracious to you. He waits on high to have compassion on you. Long for Him and you will be blessed. This verse speaks to us beautifully of just how much God loves us and wants to provide for us, to bless us. He longs to bless us with His grace and compassion. The blessings flow when we long after Him as well.

We're going to close by reading I Thessalonians 5:23-24 one more time. May it be our prayer this week for ourselves and for each other. "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."

Idiot Day

2011-04-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like a complete idiot? Today's my day. And the sad part is, it wasn't some major catastrophe that brought it on. Nope, just an oridinary day.

It's one of those days where there's no time to even finish putting on makeup before I have to head out the door. Then there's a major dilema with the clothes I wore. I finally make it meet my friend to walk the track but the only shirt I have that remotely matches the jacket I need is white. My sports bra has a grey stripe. (What's the matter with bra makers?) I'm fine with my jacket zipped but it soon gets too hot for a jacket. Step, step, step...with the constant battle in my mind--zipped and sweaty or cool and stripey.

Finally retreated to the air conditioning of my vehicle and ran a million errands on the way home, one of them sent me to the grocery store...and to my doom.

I parked opposite perfection. Perfect luxury car, perfect size, perfect hairstyle, perfect clothes, perfect tan. Walking in beside that I felt...well, very UN-perfect.

The little bit of makeup I'd had on I'd sweated off. The crazy curls that make their dwelling on the top of my head were shooting out on one side and lying flat on the other. That bag of cherry sours I'd eaten were mocking me from my hips. And I was rocking my zipped up stripey bra look, capri pants...and tennis shoes and socks.

It's moments like these when you really wish you couldn't see your reflection in the windows as you walk in the store.

And I just thought to myself, what an idiot. I even stink at being a girl.

We won't even talk about my inability to load my photos on the new computer. Some misery I need to save for another day.

Enough self-pity for now.

Playing Pink

2011-04-16T05:26:00.001-07:00

Playing In a little girl's room Nodding each time she asks, "Mommy do you like..." Keeping these special moments treasured in my heart

Hope your Saturday is PINK too.

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Peace X

2011-04-15T02:01:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we've been doing our study on peace for ten weeks now? Thank you to all of you who've sent me messages on the study. This is the last leg of the study--peace with self.

We'll start with Romans 8:5-8. "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

Those verses pack a big punch.

Peace is produced by the Spirit. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It is the opposite of the outcome the flesh produces. Going it our own way always leaves us unsettled and dissatisfied. Understand that "according to" in the verses above means agreeing with. So when we walk "according to the flesh", we are agreeing with what the flesh is telling us or if we are agreeing with the Spirit we are listening, believing and obeying the Spirit.

It is standing at a crossroads. The path we choose on any given topic or any given day shows who we're really agreeing with in our hearts. Sometimes our minds justify it as semantics. The first steps in each direction might look a lot alike. But beware, down the road they take a sharp turn from one another.

Flesh and Spirit. The two are always vying for our attention. It is a battle of mind, heart and will. Flesh wants you to fail. It fights against your Christianity. Why, just when I start doing well on a diet do I run to the pantry for a snack? Because the flesh that is in me wants me insecure and defeated so that I pour all my attention on feeling bad about myself instead of being about my Father's business.

Flesh wants us weak and self-centered. When we are self-centered we are not outreaching. We cannot be focused inward and reach out to others at the same time. We are rendered ineffectual. It seems like a such a clear decision to choose the Spirit yet we all struggle greatly with this. What could be at the root of the problem?

Let's look at Philippians 4:19, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." We feel no peace if we feel our needs are not being met. We panic and run to flesh and try and make do on our own. We need to remember that God will meet all our needs.

This includes the need to feel loved and the need to have purpose. Even our emotional needs can be met through Him.

He will meet the need--if we let Him.

Be sure to come back next Friday for the last of our talks on peace. Whatever will we talk about next?

Wanna Swap?

2011-04-13T02:46:00.000-07:00

I'm in the mood to do something a little different...and apparently in the mood for something crafty. I want to try a swap. For those of you who know me well, that'll be a surprise. I can be crafty and I am (surprise to myself) good at the stuff I do. I am just the most procrastinating crafty person there is. I have all these crafty intentions, even put it on my 'to do' list everyday. And that's where it stays. To do. (Although I DID make something the other day I'll have to show y'all in another post that's a little strange and a lot adorable.)

So I'm calling on all of you (and others you want to tell) to let's try somethings new. No matter if you're crafty or artistic or just in the mood for a challenge.

Here's what I'm calling it: SPRING CLEANING SWAP/CHALLENGE Rules:

Go through all those things you've collected to create with but haven't got around to.

Get one of those small 'all you can cram in for one price' boxes at the post office.

Fill it with all the bits you want to use in the swap/challenge--anything, everything.

Here's the twist (and the challenge). You're getting back your stuff. The person who receives the box has to take the materials they find and create something with it. And don't worry, the things in the picture above aren't necessarily the things I'd send you. They're just a few random things I pulled from my craft cabinet.

They mail it back to you. This way, you know you'll love the colors/style of what you get because they are things you picked out. You don't have to use the same size box to mail it back in and you can add something from your craft closet to complete the project if needed.

You get the fun of having something made for you that you never got around to and in a way that you wouldn't have thought to do.

You get the challenge of creating (in a time limit to prod us procrastinators) from a box of unexpected materials. It'll stretch your craftiness and your imagination.

So what do you say? You'll have until May 1st to let me know you want in on the swap. On May 1st I'll email you with your address. Box up your supplies and send them out right away. You'll have until June 1st to return your box.

Clean out those supplies and start making a pile of stuff to use.

Prepare to 'think outside the box'.

I'll try to get my techno guru (help Jen!) to work on a swap button we can post.

Visit the other people at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/ and see what crazy ideas they've come up with.

Our House, in the Middle of Our Street

2011-04-12T02:59:00.000-07:00

I always liked that song by Madness from the '80's. I thought today I'd share a bit of the happenings at OUR house.

It all started with a rustling sound in my rosemary. I looked to see what it was and there was this rabbit. I guess that's what I get for putting out that bunny flag in the backyard that says "Happy Easter". It was some sort of banner that apparently means help yourself in rabbit-speak. I will give him some credit. By the time I took the photo he'd hopped over to another flowerbed and ate a large dandelion that I'd yet to pull.At the time the rabbit was making his rounds in my garden, my neighbor and her chihuahua puppy had come for a visit. The puppy's name is Chloe and can often be seen wearing a sundress. The puppy started running in spastic circles at lightning speed all around my yard. The kids were trying to catch it for Brenda, my neighbor, before she spotted the rabbit and took off on a chase. Rabbits in bushes, spastic chihuahuas, fruitless chases and me trying to water the peppers. This is a typical moment in my life and the sort of site you often see at my house.

Measuring around 1/3 of an acre, our house manages to produce a lot of action. It is home to pirates (see last week's post), host to neighborhood boys' WWII re-enactments or Star Wars intergalactic battles, depending on the day and, as you can see, boasts monkeys in the trees.Be careful when you walk near the fort or behind the shed, there are quite a few potholes from attempts to dig to the center of the Earth.

This little yard isn't all play. I do manage to squeeze in a few pretties, like these purple irises. They look so delicate but they're made of tough stuff. They make their home right in front of my water hose and are constantly being bumped and battered in the daily treks to water the vegetables.The flowers are often transplants from others. The African irises came from my parents' old home, the thrift from Mrs. Louise. Everywhere I look is a reminder of the ones I love.

I've got vegetables and fruit growing everywhere. There are vegetable boxes, herbs in pots, squash in the flowerbed and cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets.Here's a little baby tomato. Nothing beats a homegrown tomato.

One final thing to share. Meredith was drawing quietly during the sermon at church on Sunday. I looked to see what she was drawing and here it is. Isn't that what we all long to see from our kids? 'I love home.' This drawing is a keeper.

That's a typical evening at our house. Like the song says, our house IS a very, very, very fine house.

I Didn't Forget...Pass the Peas

2011-04-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy morning with appointments and errands, but I didn't forget about our weekly menus. I know I didn't get to it last week. And I ended up runnin' around like a chicken with my head cut off every night at supper time trying to figure out something to fix.

Enough of that. I'm back on track and making a schedule.

Monday--fried chicken, hashbrown casserole, broccoli with cheese sauce
Tuesday--baked pork chops, field peas (aka white acre peas), carrots, macaroni & cheese, biscuits
Wednesday--Cheeseburger Pie, corn, sauteed spinach
Thursday--out to eat (school funddraiser)
Friday--grilled salmon, risotto, salad
Saturday--homemade pizza
Sunday--leftovers

Speaking of peas for our supper, I've got a story to tell you.

Down south we love peas--field peas, black-eyed peas, crowder peas, speckled butter beans, lima beans, and lots more.

Well, my first week living in Maryland my in-laws took us out to eat at a restaurant and I was looking at the side dishes on the menu. For those of you who don't travel much, side dishes are not the same in all parts of the country or the world. My choices weren't very appealing (not one bowl of cheese grits to be found) until I spied 'peas'.

Good southern girl that I am, I asked in my friendliest voice to the waitress, "What kind of peas are they?"

She looked at me like I was the biggest idiot the world had ever seen and said in her not-so-good un-southernlike voice. PEAS. They're green. And their round.

She'd better be glad the Lord blessed me with a laid back attitude and enough grace to bring my manners all the way from Georgia. "Oh. I know what peas are. Where I come from we also know there's more than one kind."

So tomorrow night you have to cook peas. Whatever kind you want.

A Couple of Pinks and One Purple

2011-04-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

I've been busy working outside, but I wanted to take a minute to share a couple of pictures with you. The roses are really blooming this spring. Here's a pink one to share. The large azaleas are already done blooming this spring. The miniature ones last longer and are packed with blooms. I know it's not pink, but I thought this iris was still worth sharing. Happy Pink Saturday! Visit all the participants at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Our Grocery List for Shopping at the Deal with Others Depot

2011-04-08T02:46:00.000-07:00

I told you last week that this one would require a shopping cart. That's because there's so many things we can't carry them all in our hands. This load requires a buggy. (That's what we call them around here, Southern thing I'm sure.)

Let's check out the things we need to add to our cart in order to have peace with others and begin to think about peace with ourselves. Our grocery list can be found in I Peter 3:8-12.

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

--harmony
--sympathy
--brotherly love
--compassion
--humility
--not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult
--being a blessing
--watching our words
--pursuing peace

God gives us in these verses a grocery list of good behaviors that lead to peace with others and cause us to be blessings. Why should we give a blessing? Why should we be a blessing? Because, we are to inherit a blessing.

If the very God of the universe can bless us despite our many failures and flaws, we should be able to do the same to our fellow man. Remember the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. The consequences of choosing wrongly are very costly indeed.

Seeking peace isn't all give. It brings life, love and good days. It is to our benefit to pursue peace. However, peace with others is hard to obtain if we have no peace with ourselves.

Our internal battles always spill out eventually into our relationships with others. I think peace with self will be the hardest one of all to deal with because it is such a constant battle. There is no hiding from ourselves. But, peace with self is a worthy pursuit and a critical one if we are to lead fruitful lives.

We'll talk about that one next week.

Apparently I'm Wearing Ports

2011-04-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

We were sitting there eating breakfast and Meredith was talking about her outfit. She's hot natured and loves shorts and sleeveless shirts. She'd wear them in the winter if I'd let her. You all have no idea how many times I've said, "No, you may not wear shorts. It's January."

Like I said, we were sitting there discussing her fashion choices. "Mommy, did you know my shirt has a side zipper? And sequins?" She looked down at me, giving me the fashion once over that mothers of girls come to dread.

You're wearing ports!" I am? She explains for her apparently fashion ignorant mother. "There pants down to here and shorts from there. Ports."

Here I thought they were walking shorts, the kind that come just above your knee.

Little did I know.

Ports.

Recipes Written in Red

2011-04-06T02:50:00.001-07:00

It all started with these little bowls my mom and aunt picked up for me on a shopping trip. They bought them for me so I could be like the hosts you see on Food Network who always have their ingredients measured and waiting in these tiny bowls when they're cooking. (Yes I know, there's a specific name for them--it just escapes me at this early hour.) I once heard someone on television speaking on the importance of these bowls. I had always thought of them as pretentious. Seriously, who has time in the real world to measure all those ingredients into tiny bowls just to dump them again into a bigger bowl or pot? Television hosts or chefs--both of whom have someone else to do the dishes.

I guess I was feeling a bit pretentious myself yesterday because I thought "why not?" and whipped them out as I made supper. When I took them out of their nested wrappings, I was surprised to find that they were marked with measurements on the inside of the bowls. Now maybe I'm the biggest idiot in the world, but I didn't know they actually measured the ingredients for them. I thought they were just there to be cute. I stand corrected.

So now that I'm using my pretension pots, I thought I'd share a recipe to make while using them. Something about seeing them lined up there said 'salad' to me. Don't ask me why. Lo and behold, I flipped through my recipes and there was one written in red. It doesn't get any better than that for Rednesday. And it's a really good one too, given to me by a friend at church--Mrs. Mabel who is 95 years young. I do believe the lady could work circles around me. I want to be like Mrs. Mabel when I grow up.

Kraut Salad

1 large can sauerkraut (wring out dry with hands)
1 cup of each, chopped--celery, red and green peppers
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. cider vinegar

Beat dressing very good. Make the dressing first, as you wring the kraut. Combine with vegetables and let stand 2 hours before serving.

Even my garden is getting into the spirit of Rednesday. For other friends, visit http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Arrr...Me Yard Be Infested with Pirates

2011-04-04T10:02:00.001-07:00

It appears pirates have landed in my backyard in search of treasure. Rather vicious looking pirates they be.

They come with a map to aid in their quest.

Thankfully, the pirates appear to be friendly. So far all they've uncovered is a buried Happy Meal toy.

Oh, the joys of spring break!

Butt Pott Picture

2011-04-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

By request, here's a picture of my terra cotta pot. They are large pots with silver writing and whoever wrote on them had also hot glued on large silver bows. Hmmm... One of these days I've got to get to work on covering them up. For now, being labeled a butt pott hasn't slowed down the tomato plant one bit.

I've had conversations with some people about comments. Some people have trouble, some people don't like to, some people do. Our friend Jen over at Jennalane had a post about the subject this weekend. I told her I might repost it, which she said was fine, but then I struck upon another idea.

Let's play a game. I like games and quizzes and puzzles and such. So I figure if we make commenting a bit of a game, some of you comment shy people might be more willing to try. I'll ask some questions and give my answers. Then you comment with your answers to the same questions. You can copy and paste mine and change the answers or you can simply give your numbered answers. This way, you comment and we learn a little about each other at the same time.

Here goes--

1. Favorite color? yellow
2. Last 3 things you read from? Around the World in 80 Days, Bible, back issue of Southern Accents
3. Favorite magazine? Maryjane's Farm House
4. Stripes, plaid or polka dots? Polka dots
5. Top 3 wish list items? chickens, farm, 10 pounds (at least) lighter
6. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? a little house in some small town in Ireland
7. Favorite food? watermelon
8. Least favorite food? egg dishes
9. Where do you live? Georgia
10. Worst habit? procrastination

Peace, Part VIII...Esteeming Others

2011-04-01T02:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry about yesterday. I was running late again. When I got home yesterday and went outside to take that picture you're all wanting. Well I bent down to snap it and the battery died. Went back in and put it on the charger but by the time it was ready, it'd gotten dark. I've got to help out at school today with field day, so you'll have to check in and see it tomorrow. Besides, I couldn't put it up there today. Something about mixing Bible verses with a picture of a butt pott just doesn't seem right to me.

Let's see. Last week we were talking about dealing with other people and how I Thessalonians 5 calls us to appreciate them. That we can understand. Those verses also tell us to "esteem them very highly in love". Now that's not a word we toss around everyday. At least not at my house. So we'd better think on it for a few minutes together.

What does it mean to esteem someone? To esteem means to have great regard for; value highly; respect. We must regard others in love and value them highly. After all, our dear Savior paid a very high price to ransom them for Himself. If they are of value to Him, they should be valued by me. See what it says in I Peter 1:18-19, "...knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things, like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ."

When we esteem others we respect them. Let's look at Romans 12:17-18. "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." Now flip over to II Corinthians 8:21, "For we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."

Esteem is the bit that keeps us from charging down the road of vengeance and bitterness. And it reigns us in when we get too full of self.

There's one more thing to note from the verse back in I Thessalonians. It says to "live in peace". Notice that living in peace is not a request, it is a command. Another time in Mark 9:50 Christ commands us to be at peace with one another. Why?

Because, living without peace isn't really living at all. It's like grappling for a foothold in a pit of mud. There is no stable place. Refusing to make peace with situations, circumstances or people in your life comes with ramifications.

Now let's turn to Romans 14:13 and find out what this peace stuff does not involve. "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way." Peace is something we have to work at and push for, but here are some definite don'ts. Don't judge. Don't put obstacles in a brother's way.

These are so much harder to keep than they seem because personal preferences and experiences are strong. I can't, therefore no one can. God said no to me, so that must mean no for everyone.

Sometimes God calls us to abstain from something that is okay for everyone else. It doesn't mean we have a new cause to champion and that we should beat everyone over the head with admonitions if they don't follow suit. No, He's working with us on a particular thing for our life.

The things that are for everyone are already written for everyone in His word. To add to it is to place an obstacle in the life of another believer.

And sweet one, when you refuse peace you harden yourself to what God has told you and to who He created you to be. Then, the one who is supposed to go to Him who offers living water refuses. And you dry up. Ever seen those pictures of a dried up lake or riverbed?

They don't just dry up, they start to crack. And the cracks are jagged. The same is true of us.

When we refuse to obey, we begin to dry up spiritually. We harden ourselves to His call, to His word, to His people. Then we start to crack. The things we could've handled easily now send us into a panic or a rage. We hurt those around us with the barbs we spew from our mouths and the attitudes we adopt.

Not choosing peace is about so much more than simply not letting go of past hurts or future fears. It has painful consequences. And they're are not just for us. Our refusal for peace hurts all those around us.

Next Friday we're going shopping. We'll look at the grocery list of behaviors that do bring peace. Bring your cart...and your coupons.

Blogiversary

2011-03-29T02:45:00.000-07:00

How sweet it is!
Sound the bell (even if it is a cowbell I got as a door prize from Chick-Fil-A).
Should we cook up a little something special to celebrate?

It has been one whole year since I started blogging. It's funny how something I started on a whim so I could be accountable on a diet actually has become so important. Actually the blogiversary (I know it's not really a word, but I like it) was yesterday, but it was an unexpectedly busy day and I never got time to finish my post.

I went back and read that very first post and was amazed, I guess I should be depressed, at how little has changed for me. I'm still struggling with my dieting. I had to laugh because the day I started the blog Deb and I had begun a no flour, no sugar diet. I didn't last so long on that one! Even then I was bemoaning my love to bake and my sweet tooth. But here it is a year (and several pounds) later and guess what I've finally had to do to get even a modicum of success...step away from the sugar.

I'm still gardening in my same little plot of suburbia. My vegetable boxes are full and the patio is lined with containers full of peppers, herbs, and other veggies. The peach trees we planted last year have really grown and I'm hoping for a good crop of peaches this summer. The blueberries are ripening and there's squash growing in the flowerbed. Thus begins my battle with the bunny rabbits to see who gets to eat them. They usually win the blueberry/squash battle, but I plant them and hope anyway.

Y'all would laugh if you could see some of my containers. I got these huge terracotta pots at a yard sale. Well, my mom got them and then passed them to me. We're guessing they were used at some chain smokers' wedding because painted on the side of each one in pretty silver script they say..."Butt Pott". Seriously? Who does that? These pots are going to get a paint job as soon as it quits raining around here. I just needed to go ahead and get my stuff planted. If I plant my jalapenos in a butt pott should I call them poopers instead of peppers? If so, I'm also growing tootmatoes, oh,no-ions and rad...well, we'd better still call them radishes.

Even if I did accidentally stumble into blogging, it has been such a great experience. I've talked with people from all around the world and been blessed to share a little of my life with you all. Whether it's cooking a recipe, sitting together to study the Bible, or laughing at our craziness, you've let me have a part in your world. And for that I am eternally grateful.

Happy blogiversary!

Oops, almost forgot Rednesday. Visit everyone over at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Rainy Day in Georgia

2011-03-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

We've gotten over 4 inches of rain at my house in the last 48 hours. I guess I won't be working out in the yard today. I'd have to swim to the vegetable boxes. I'm thankful for the rain. We needed it.

Since it's a dreary, rainy day I thought I'd make some soup for supper. That's something quick and easy, which is nice because I have lots of cleaning up to do from the weekend. How can five people make such a mess when we were hardly at home?

If you need extra inspiration to get going this morning, check out Aunt Ruthie's (no she's not really my aunt, that's just what she calls herself) Sugar Pie Farmhouse blog. She's in my list of favorites on the right. It was extra good today and just what I needed to get me going this morning.

What else are we having besides soup? Let's think on it.

Monday--Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, rolls, fresh strawberries
Tuesday--Taco Salad
Wednesday--Baked Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls
Thursday--Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread
Friday--Grilled Sausage, Mac & Cheese, Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Saturday--Homemade Pizza
Sunday--Leftovers

Chicken Noodle Soup Express
I have to double this recipe for my family. The kids really like it and eat seconds, sometimes thirds. Plus, it makes a good lunch the next day.

3 1/2 c. chicken broth
pepper to taste
1 carrot, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/2 c. uncooked egg noodles
1 c. cubed, cooked chicken

Mix broth, pepper, carrot and celery in a pot. Bring to a boil. Stir in noodles and chicken. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Serves 4.

Who Do You Think You're Looking At?

2011-03-25T02:36:00.000-07:00

Last week in our study on peace we talked about how important it was to seek peace with others. Not how easy, how important. Peace isn't easy. It takes effort.

So, how do we learn to be peaceable instead of posturing? Let's turn to I Thessalonians 5:12-13 to find out. "But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another."

The way to live peaceably, to make peace, is by appreciating and esteeming them highly. That sounds like a sappy answer at first glance, but it's in the Bible and we need to give it a shot. First, we have to appreciate those laboring among us (other believers).

But we can't notice what others are doing if we are focused on all we have to do. How often do we grumble and complain over all we have to do when others seem to be just taking things easy? Why are we asked to do everything, be on every committee, when Miss So-and-So never lifts a finger?

That's when we've got the Martha Syndrome--not Martha Stewart, Martha from the Bible in Luke 10:38-42. She's the one who whined to Jesus about her sister not doing her share. We cannot get the Martha Syndrome. Service from a self-righteous woman is not really service at all.

We do not know how much effort it took for someone else to just show up. It could have been ten times greater than all the things we had to do in our little assignments. Make peace with the fact that what you are called to do is never going to look equal to what others are called to do. Rejoice in what tasks you are given. Let God worry about what the others are doing.

That's a lot to ask. But there's more. We need to go beyond merely minding our own business. We do need to stop looking around and comparing jobs, that's true. But we also need to start looking around and noticing, appreciating, the efforts of others.

We're still looking. We're just shifting our focus from 'why aren't you doing?' to 'what are you doing?'. Is there a new mom with other little children? Appreciate the fact that she actually showed up with her teeth brushed and no baby spit on her clothes. That took great effort.

How quickly we forget the different stages of life. Is there an older lady who constantly voices her opinion? Appreciate the fact that she has many years of experience from which to draw and try to listen and learn. Remember that there are many things we still need to know. Sometimes simply being listened to is a great blessing.

Appreciation of others is possible only when we stop looking at ourselves and all we have to accomplish and we start looking at others and seeing who they really are. Our prayer should be that we would be able to look on others with the eyes of Christ, able to see them and love them as He does.

Next week we'll work on the other part, how to esteem someone. This shift in focus is enough to accomplish in one week.

So, who are you looking at? More importantly, how are you looking at them?

Now for a Few Things from the Outside

2011-03-24T02:58:00.001-07:00

By the time I was able to get outside to take pictures, there were lots of shadows and wasn't a lot I could photograph. I'll just have to share some more another day. This first one is of one of my azalea bushes. I have several. They are all over our town in masses. It's a really pretty place to live right now.

This tree stands between my house and my neighbors. Brenda planted it and I'm not sure what kind it is, something Japanese I think. Right now it's shedding its flowers so every time you walk outside you're walking in a soft pink rain.

These little purple flowers don't like getting their picture taken. Every time I try it doesn't turn out right. They are a darker purple than they look with a bright blue center, a nice little addition beside the step.

Anyone in the mood for salad? I usually plant buttercrunch but this year I tried the gourmet blend. It's been really good. Maybe next year I'll plant both.

I thought I'd lost my grapevine over the winter, but it surprised me and came back with a vengeance. We've got to slow down and make it a permanent home. For now it sits contentedly in the pot.

That's it for me today. Can you guess where I'm off to this morning? Picking strawberries! Yummy, yummy springtime.

What Time Is It?

2011-03-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

I seem to be running later and later lately in getting my blog done. If I don't do it before everyone else wakes up, it's hard for me to make it back here. Once they all wake up it's go, go, go. But I'm slowing down a minute to soak up some spring with you. Don't you just love this picture? It is a vintage postcard I found in an antique shop while visiting one day with Jen from Jennalane. Hopefully I'll be getting my own little chicks soon. Meredith's requested the ones that lay colored eggs.
So, what time is it? IT'S SPRING TIME!!!

I'll show you around to some of the spring things I've set out. I don't have a lot of spring decorations, more of my time and energy are taken up outdoors with gardening these days, but I do have a few things to see. I found this adorable bunny made from an old quilt at a yard sale a couple of years ago. I really like him.

The changing of the weather calls for the changing of the throw pillows around the house. Here's one in our old rocker.

It's a bowl full of bunnies...and eggs but you can't really see them at this angle. I picked these up at a craft sale in Florida. For some reason it struck my fancy to stick them in the bowl this year.

Meredith made this hatching chick in preschool. It's egg has real crushed shells on it that have been colored. From his expression, I don't think he was quite ready to come out.

This little bunny is a little worse-for-the-wear. I think it's from Riley's preschool days. They like to display things they've made. I added this picture to give you teachers an idea for Easter party treat bags. If it were me, I'd use those googly eyes and pipe cleaners for whiskers. Looks like the glue is showing on his nose...or maybe that's just the pollen. It's giving everyone a runny nose.

A basket of hydrangeas hanging by the door. Well that concludes our tour for today. Maybe tomorrow I'll walk you around outside and show you what's new. So what do we say to spring now that it's shown up?

Let's see what other great spring things we can find over at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Pint Sized PR Agent

2011-03-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

Apparently I'm popular enough to have a PR agent. I had one and didn't even know it. She's the best there is and good and getting my "talents" out there. She's also six years old.

At our church we have a snack time between Sunday School and church service. I had made some blueberry pound cake to take since I have lots of blueberries in the freezer and I need to use them up before this summer.

My pint sized PR agent was overheard telling her friend's dad, "Try some of my Mommy's world famous blueberry bread. It's delicious."

Now I'm not sure how my "bread" got to be world famous, but I appreciate her effort and confidence in my cooking. I wonder if she'll try to get me on Oprah or Letterman...

Here's what other world famous dishes I'll be preparing this week.
Grilled burgers, home fries, applesauce
Chicken Stir Fry
London Broil, Stewed Tomatoes & Rice, Salad
Pork Chop Bake, Au Gratin Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli
Pizza
Leftovers

Well, this starlet is off to scrub bathtubs. I'll try not to let the success go to my head.

Peace, Part VII

2011-03-18T02:32:00.000-07:00

I told you last week it was going to start getting a little stickier. In our Friday talks on peace we have talked about peace with God and are now on peace with others. The last couple of weeks were on dealing with other believers who are blatantly doing wrong. Here comes the hard part, the side of judging that has more to do with self preference than sin.

Right at the start let me state that there are certain things that are undeniable absolutes in Scripture. Those are not what we are discussing. Fundamentals of faith are not open to what we feel like doing or what the world around us is calling acceptable. That said, let's carry on.

There are certain things that for one of us God says "no" to while He allows it for someone else. The person God says no to doesn't need to go correct the person who is free in Christ to carry on. And the person who is free doesn't need to worry about the person who can't seem to let things go. That is what Romans 14:16 is trying to tell us.

Here's the part where it gets prickly. Just because there's a way we prefer doesn't mean that's how it has to be done. This is where we have to make peace, because peace certainly doesn't come naturally when it comes to going against our preferences.

But we must be so careful to do this. The friction created by rubbing against "my way" syndrome has set many a fire of divisiveness to blazing in our churches, leaving many spiritually and emotionally burned to the ground.

What sort of things am I talking about? Someone might go to the movies while another thinks it's wrong. Someone might feel the need to give up eating meat while others enjoy a steak. A friend once felt convicted not to have a Christmas tree. Did I call her Ebenezer Scrooge? Did I take down my tree just because she did? Of course not!

I'll give you an example from my own life. I am a big picture girl. If there's a project to do, I see it in my mind complete and finished. I simply work from that mental picture to make it become a reality.

Nothing raises my hackles more than someone nitpicking over details. To go over and over what could be done for each and every point makes me feel absolutely claustrophobic. It honestly makes me want to run screaming from the room.

I am decisive.

I am able to see all those details in my mind at one time.

I am also not perfect.

I am also not always right.

My own way is not the only way and not always the right way.

God in His infinite wisdom requires that this world be a mixture of many different kinds of people and requires us to work together to accomplish His tasks.

I don't get to run screaming from the room no matter how much I might want. Sometimes those questions regarding details are necessary.

If I go my own way all the time, pretty soon I'm going it alone.

It isn't possible to build each other up when we're building by ourselves.

Remember what Jesus said in His sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for that shall be called the sons of God." Isn't that what we're after? We want God's blessing. We want to be recognizable as His child.

We get those things by being peacemakers. We have to make peace. We have to go after it.

It reminds me of the scene at the end of the first Lord of the Rings movie, Fellowship of the Ring. It's the scene where the orcs are running through the woods on their way to find those in the fellowship. We must throw down our preferences, put on our war paint, and hunt down fellowship.

Now orcs aren't the prettiest things to be compared to, and in the movie are on the bad side, but we do want to emulate their tenacity. Why do we have to be so aggressive about peace? Because we have an enemy out there that is ripping and tearing away at the body of Christ!

And he's doing it one carpet sample, song style, and clothing choice at a time.

What he cannot accomplish from the outside, he happily lets us do to each other from within. We have to slash through self. If we lack peace as a body, we are a laughing stock to the world.

Next week, how to be peaceful instead of preferential.

St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T05:31:00.000-07:00

I found this little Leprechaun wandering around the house. I asked him what how he thought his special day would turn out, would there be blue skies and spring weather? Our little Leprechaun friend is telling us that it's looking like a good day. Isn't he dapper in his little pink bow tie?

Apparently the pot of gold is to be found under a mushroom. That sounds about how it would go for me--actually find a pot of gold but it's about the size of a thimble. But wait, looks like maybe this is candy gold...with maybe a cherry filling. Chocolate covered cherry gold, maybe it is my kind of treasure after all.

Thanks to Meredith for her artistic contributions. =)
Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all.

Talkin' Turkey This Tuesday

2011-03-15T02:30:00.000-07:00

First of all, how do you like my little turkey? I thought the costume turned out well, especially considering I was just making it up as I went along. I think those craft foam sheets are one of the best inventions. I can work wonders with them. They're my 'go to' resource for costumes, crazy hats, etc.

The other turkey to talk about is the one I cooked for supper last night. It turned out great. Nice and brown and very flavorful. The kids really liked it too. I'll share the recipe with you. I'm not sure where this recipe originated. I clipped it out of something, but it's on cardstock, so it wasn't a magazine. I really need to start writing it down as I clip things out.

Herbed Turkey Breast

1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. finely chopped green onions
1 Tbsp. rubbed sage
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried marjoram
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 turkey breast

In a small saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Place turkey in a shallow roasting pan; baste with butter mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until meat thermometer reads 170 degrees, basting every 30 minutes.

Musings and Menus

2011-03-14T02:42:00.000-07:00

When I was having my quiet time this morning, I read a verse in Psalms that I thought was a good one for us to think on at this time of year. "How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You." Psalm 31:19

I liked this verse because it reminded me of spring. Winter is often bleak and barren. We grow weary from the lack of beauty. We forget that goodness is stored up, waiting to burst forth at its appointed time.

The same is true for us as well. Sometimes our lives are bleak and barren. Sometimes there is winter in our souls. Dear one, do not lose heart. God is storing up goodness.

Just like the flowers, sometimes we need a winter in order to come back bigger and stronger than before. Spring does come. It requires a little Sonshine.

Now for menus. Hmmm... Maybe this week we'll experiment with some recipes I've clipped and saved in my handy, dandy notebook. Oh no, shouldn't have said that. Now I have an overwhelming urge to sing "Here's the Mail". I'm kinda glad my days of preschool television viewing are done.

Monday--Herbed Turkey Breast, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Rolls
Tuesday--Italian Meatball Packets, Mac & Cheese, Fresh fruit
Wednesday--Spiced Chicken with Tangerine Sauce, Rice, Salad
Thursday--Breakfast for Supper
Friday--Grilled Fish, Roasted Potatoes, Creamed Corn, Rolls
Saturday--homemade pizza
Sunday--leftovers

Favorite Pink Pics from Louise's

2011-03-12T04:23:00.001-08:00

I've been sharing some pictures this week from my visit with my good friend Louise. She has the most beautiful yard, and down here spring is at its peak. I saved some of the pinkest ones just for y'all.

I'm linking up with other Pink Saturday participants over at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ Be sure to visit. You always find the most interesting blogs there.

Peace, Part VI

2011-03-11T02:43:00.000-08:00

We're trudging along in our series dealing with peace. If you haven't joined us before, you can click on the bottom of the post where it says 'Peace Series' and find all the posts we've had so far. We started off talking about peace with God and are now beginning to work on peace with others.

Let's backtrack just a second to a verse we read last time. James 3:18 "The seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." There was one more thing I wanted us to see here. It is sown by those who make peace. It doesn't say those who are peacable, it says those who make peace.

Peace doesn't come naturally. We have to make it.

We have to make peace with our circumstances.

We have to make peace with the fact that we are not in charge of the whole world.

We have to make peace with other people.

We have to make peace with our bodies and our mortality.

We have to make peace with time, because I can guarantee you that things rarely happen on our timetable.

We have make peace.

Peace requires our active participation and, if necessary, our sacrifice of liberties. Turn to Romans 14:16-19 and let's take a look.

"Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. so then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."

The verses in Romans previous to these deal with judging one another. Well, the quickest way for us NOT to make peace or build each other up is by judging. Now I'm not saying we should just let everyone do whatever they feel like and never say a word even if it goes against what the Bible teaches. No, there are two separate issues that we must keep in mind and there is a distinct difference in the two. One is meant to bind up, the other always tears down.

Are we the sin police? Do we go around checking under bedskirts and snooping through closets looking for sin in someone's lif that we can expose? Absolutely not. But, if sin becomes evident, it is our job to pray for that person. And then, if necessary, we prayerfully, prayerfully approach. The Bible gives us strict guidelines we are to follow when taking such a course.

Christ tells us in Matthew 18:15-17, "If your brother (that's a fellow believer)sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."

This is rarely the method used for rebuke, but it can be very powerful. It should never be undertaken lightly or with relish. But it is at times necessary to bring back a fellow believer who has walked away from his faith and is caught in a stranglehold of sin. Turning a blind eye to this kind of sin is a deterrent for those who remain faithful. We have been called to address it, unpleasant though it may be.

Next week we'll talk about the flip side of judging--personal preference.

Projects, Projects, Projects...and a Few More Pictures

2011-03-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

I shouldn't have said anything about looking for a project to do. I was talking about a decorating project. But we're bogged down in school projects. Here's Jack's cake of Australia. Last night I couldn't get the Ayer's Rock to look right and gave up and used a plastic one. This morning my husband suggested a Rice Krispie treat, so there I was at 5 a.m. icing a "rock". Last night I also filmed Riley's "infommercial" for his book report and helped with the layout of his Venn's diagram on 12th century Korea.
Y'all better really love this picture. I went through great peril to bring it to you. I was standing there taking this and looked down at a bush next to me--there was the biggest, fattest snake. You've never seen a girl walk backward so fast!

That's it for me today. I'm off to do some more spring cleaning and sew a turkey costume for tomorrow night's talent show. A mom's schoolwork is never done.

A Walk Most Beautiful

2011-03-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

There aren't enough pictures to begin to show you the beauty of my friend Louise's garden. Every little space is filled with something waiting to be discovered. I took LOTS of pictures to share. I'll have more tomorrow. And the next day. And probably the next day. Enjoy.

She made this herself from concrete and broken dishes!

I love this stump in the flowers.

The Easter Bunny is checking on things.

The architect of her own little Eden, Mrs. Louise.

Nandina

Red Camelia

Cinnamon Fern

Succulents and pretty pink flowers

A view through the bushes

A Few New

2011-03-08T02:56:00.000-08:00

First, I wanted to share with you a new blog I found. Well actually, our sweet friend BJ from Sweet Nothings found her and shared. Now I'm sharin' with y'all. LOVE the things she makes. It gives me project fever. The blog is Creative Ambitions and you can find a link to it on the right side of my blog.

I finally finished cleaning in Meredith's room and getting out all her warm weather clothes, putting away the winter ones. That was a big job. She has more clothes than any other girl I know. I don't have to go buy them. They breed in the closet. Now maybe I'll get to tackle a new project.

I also went to one of my favorite garden stores yesterday and got some more plants. Today I'm going to dig in the dirt. Hooray! Broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cilantro, basil...

I did manage to load some pictures for you today.

Have a great day!

A Time to Plant

2011-03-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

Like it says in the Bible, there's a time to plant...and I did manage to plant a few things at the end of last week. Admittedly, I was a little late. Around here, the sayin' goes you've got to have your potatoes in the ground before Valentine's Day. I didn't quite make that cut off, but I planted them just the same. We'll see.

I planted red potatoes, onions, garlic and asparagus in a couple of my vegetable boxes. My peach trees have blossoms, the grape vine is putting out new leaves (which is a good thing since I thought I'd killed it) and the blueberries have already blossomed and are getting ready to make fruit. One little blossom is still hanging on.

There are lots of other things to plant still--tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, watermelon...maybe tomorrow. For today, I'm stuck inside cleaning. The whirlwind of a weekend we had left a monster of a mess.

What's for supper?

Monday--Crockpot Chicken, Biscuits, Fresh Strawberries

Tuesday--Chili, Cornbread

Wednesday--Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread

Thursday--Ham and Scalloped Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Rolls

Friday--Pizza

Saturday--London Broil, Peas, Buttered Corn, Rolls

Sunday--Leftovers

Here's the recipe for tonight's supper.

Crockpot Chicken

4 carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 celery rib, sliced
1 can greeen beans
5 small red potatoes, quartered
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 c. hot water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. basil
pinch of pepper

In a crockpot, layer the first seven ingredients in order. Combine the remaining ingredients; pour over the top. Do not stir. Cook on low 6-8 hours. You can change the seasonings to suit your taste. I'm spicing mine up a little tonight.

I had some pictures of my plants to show y'all but my computer is not cooperating with uploading them. Maybe tomorrow.

I Guess It's the Real Thing After All

2011-03-05T04:12:00.000-08:00

The weather here turned warm about halfway through February. The trees all burst into bloom. Things began to get a little greener. I kept waiting for another blast of cold to send it all withering. It hasn't come. I guess I'm having a hard time believing that the winter really is over. I can just let out a big breath and enjoy the spring.

So many friends are barely seeing the snow melt. We have to mow our grass today. I thought I'd share a few more pictures for those of you still shivering.

These are the first little blossoms on our peach trees. We planted four of them last year.

Some pretty pink snapdragons.

Be sure to visit the other Pink Saturday posts at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Peace, Part V...Peace with Others

2011-03-04T02:34:00.000-08:00

I've said before that in studying this fruit of the Spirit, we could call it Peace-The Prickly Fruit. Kind of like that cactus looking fruit you see at the grocery store, on display but I've never seen anyone actually pick it up and buy it. Well, we're picking ours up. Better put on some gloves before you cut into it, because it's gonna prick you.

You may be thinking I'm just saying that. So far, our talks have been mostly about our nobility through Christ and the niceties that come from our relationship in Him. That's not prickly, it's praiseworthy! The prickly part comes when we put that into practice. And here we are.

We'll begin by first digging into the truths found in James 3:17-18. "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

First, we see that wisdom itself is peaceable. Notice that it didn't say intelligence is peaceable. Intelligence and wisdom are two different things. Many who are intelligent have no peace. You can be highly intelligent and not the least bit wise. (Oh, don't let me get up on that soapbox today. Hoppin' down.)

Next, righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. What in the world does that mean? Well, let's put our overalls on and think like a farmer. Would we, as farmers, just throw our seed on any old patch of dirt and call it a day? No!

I was outside yesterday planting some early things. Before I could put the onions and potatoes in the ground, I had to prepare the bed. I had to work up the soil, breaking up clumps, pulling out sticks and debris. I had to add more compost to it. It took effort. It took thought.

Planting takes preparation. If we eventually want to reap the fruit of righteousness, we have to break up our ground in peace. Why does it say in peace? Because we, as farmers, cannot plant the seed until we have cut through some earth, pulled some weeds, and gotten a little dirty.

It's a hard row to hoe to get that seed in the ground. Remember, we're breaking up our ground. We turn up some ugly truths about ourselves. There may be some unpleasant confrontations with other believers. The weeds of the world are constantly trying to choke out our effort.

We must sow in peace. The peace of Him who called us, the peace of the God of peace. When we try to sow in our own strength and in our own time our rows are crooked and our plows get bent by hidden boulders. And besides, when we plant in our own strength, the only thing we end up producing is self-righteousness. And that's definitely not what we're after.

When we sow in peace we take our time. We are careful to pay attention. And we can hear the voice of the Master Gardener.

We'll talk more about it next week. Bring your trowel and your gloves.

Beans, Beans, Good for the Heart

2011-03-03T02:25:00.000-08:00

I'm still reeling from a nasty stomach virus. On the up side, I lost three pounds in a day. I did want to share a little something with you though. I missed you all yesterday.

This is a recipe I found in Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking. Modern, by way of 1945. It's a great little set to have if you can find it. Packed full of recipes on just about every food, with basic ways of cooking to more elegant recipes.

Fresh Green Beans

1 1/2 lb fresh green beans
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 c. melted butter
5 small red potatoes, optional

Wash green beans in cold water. Snap ends. Place in a large pot of boiling salted water (1 tsp. to 1 qt water) along with potatoes, if desired. Cook uncovered until desired tenderness, 20-30 minutes. Drain; add sugar and butter. Stir and heat through.

Pucker Up for Something Sweet

2011-03-01T02:46:00.000-08:00

Jack came home from school and told me he needed me to bake for school tomorrow. Apparently they have to bring something that's a 3D shape, preferrably edible since it'll be after lunch and they'll like a snack. Hmmm... We looked through my book of recipes I've clipped out but haven't tried yet and he picked some little lemon cakes. We decided that a rectangular prism would be easiest.

I got this recipe from Pampered Chef. It calls for cooking it in six individual prep bowls in the microwave. You know me, I'm not good at following instructions. Seriously, it's true. Anyway, I don't have six little prep bowls (I'm not chef-y enough to feel the need to measure all my ingredients into little bowls before I start to cook. I feel the process of scrambling around in the kitchen in a mad fury counts as my exercise for the day). I also don't like cooking the cake in the microwave. Stuff's just never as good, at least to me. I made it in my six serving mini loaf pan and baked it in the oven. It turned out perfect.

Mini Glazed Lemon Cakes

Cakes:
2 Tbsp. butter, softened, divided
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 small lemons, divided
1 (9 oz.-that's the small one) bx of yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 (8 oz.) container sour cream

Glaze:
2 Tbsp. lemon juice (from lemon for cake)
2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 c. sugar

With 1 Tbsp. of the butter, grease the mini loaf pans then sprinkle evenly with the sugar. Thinly slice one of the lemons, being sure to remove any seeds. Place lemon slices in the bottom of each pan in a single layer.

Zest remaining lemon to measure 1 Tbsp. zest. Set lemon aside for glaze. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a microwable mixing bowl, melt remaining 1 Tbsp. butter on High for 15-20 seconds. Add lemon zest, cake mix, egg, and sour cream; whisk one minute or until smooth.

Divide batter between the six mini loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter for the glaze. Stir in the lemon juice and sugar; microwave on high 30-60 seconds or until boiling. To serve, gently tap the pan to release cakes. Invert onto serving tray. Drizzle glaze over cakes.

Next week's assignment? A cake in the shape of Australia. Who knew middle school was so yummy!

Starting the Week Off with the Things We Love

2011-02-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

I've been in the cleaning up and cleaning out mood. I guess since spring has arrived early here so has the spring cleaning bug. I had just had a conversation with my mom about not buying another thing unless I absolutely loved it. I've always been really bad about settling. I'm ready to purge it all, strip it down, and have just the things I feel are beautiful and necessary.

Those are the ramblings in my head. So it made me laugh when I happened to spy this quote by Robert Louis Stevenson yesterday, "To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to keep your soul alive."

I like that a lot. It's more than spring cleaning. It's keeping my soul alive. It's finally being brave enough to admit that my preferences matter. I need to whitte things down to what is 'me'.

Okay, I'm hoppin' off my high horse. 'Me' still has to clean house and cook dinner. Here's the menus for this week.

Monday--Mini Meatloaves, Buttered Potatoes, Peas, Rolls
Tuesday--(by request from my birthday boy) Crab Legs, Rice Pilaf, Salad, Rolls
Wednesday--Grilled Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Applesauce, Green Beans
Thursday--Creamy Herb Pork Chops, Steamed Broccoli with Cheese Sauce, Bread Stuffing
Friday--Hamburgers, Fries, Caribbean Fruit Kabobs
Saturday--Homemade Pizza
Sunday--Leftovers

So what about you, what are some things that you love?

I Know, I Know...But At Least I Tried

2011-02-27T04:29:00.001-08:00

Okay, I'll admit my attempt was feeble. But, it was an attempt. What drew me to participate in this blog party was that it would force my hand to try. This was my five minute "Oh my goodness, it's Sunday morning and I was supposed to have something ready" contribution to the block party at http://gorgeousandfun.typepad.com/ .

So I'm proud of it. It means I tried something. It means I didn't shrug it off and say I'd try again next week. It means I didn't once again skip doing at least some little creative thing in my day.

Although, I did love the pictures I did for my post yesterday. And they were a little more share worthy.

A girl's gotta start somewhere.

Hopefully next week I won't have been out of town and have to do something Sunday morning.

Peace Part IV and a Few Spring Pictures More

2011-02-25T04:53:00.001-08:00

We're still working our way through our Friday studies on Peace. This week will be the end of Peace with God. Next week we hit the bumpy road to Peace with Others. Thank you for the sweet notes I've gotten on this study. You are all a real encouragement to me.

We keep our peace when we give away our anxiety. We attain the victory only through Him who is our peace. Ephesians 2:12-22 puts it beautifully.

"Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for though Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."

There is a lot we can glean from these verses.

Without Christ we were separated from God. The only way to have peace with God is through the blood sacrifice of Christ. Did you see those phrases "having no hope" and "without God in this world"? Those are the things to be anxious about! But those are the characteristics of people before they come to Christ. They should not, cannot characterize a child of God. We have hope. We are never then alone in this world. People may fail us. Circumstances may threaten us. But we are never alone and never without hope. That is what gives us an unmistakable peace.

"He Himself is our peace." When we as Christians have peace, we are able to live in our circumstances and live out our calling because the ultimate peacemaker is at work within us. We read in verse 17 that He came and preached peace. Even though throngs pressed Him wherever He went looking for a quick fix and a miracle meal. Even though rulers sought to kill Him and quiet His message. Even though an enemy slept in His camp. Even though all hell warred against Him. Those are not peaceful circumstances. But still He preached peace. No matter how dire, our present situations cannot compare. He is your peace. So what are you preaching? What is your attitude preaching? What are your actions preaching? What are your words preaching? Are they preaching peace?

He also gives us peace through unity. Christ unites believers for a common purpose. What a comfort to know that no matter the place in the world or the difference in background, we have Christ as our common denominator and together we can work to make a difference for Him in the world.

Peace is possible. Peace is ours. But peace comes with a cost. It costs us our ability to control. We are required to turn over our anxieties to Him. It cost Him far more. That called for Christ's death. Such a high price, but freely given. You only have to take it.

Honey, Darlin', Sweetie, Angel

2011-02-24T02:45:00.000-08:00

My great-aunt Mary died this week. You would have all like her very much. Boisterous and bubbly, fiery and full of love at the same time. Always had a long story she wanted to share with you. Could be known to break into a song. Sure to require a hug or a kiss.

She always had a name to call us. I was never just Kelly. I was darlin' Kelly or 'our precious Kelly'. Even when she was mad at someone she'd say, "I'm just gonna have to keep on lovin' them in Jesus." That's probably how she felt the time she tried to give me voice lessons. She tried to have me sing "How Great Thou Art" in a soprano. I squawk out something that sounds a little closer to an alto. My musical training lasted one session.

She was the youngest of my grandmother's siblings. Tall (at least compared to me), commanding, with jet black hair. The last time I went to visit my aunt Mary, I hadn't seen her in a while. Walking into her house I was struck speechless. Her black hair was a lighter brown with specks of grey and she looked almost identical to my grandmother. It was like opening a door and seeing someone standing there talking to you that you thought you'd never see again. She liked that she looked more like her sister.

That visit was a special one for me. My mom and my two aunts had gone to visit and eat lunch with her and look at old family photos. My mom had a new wand scanner and she was going to help upload the old pictures. My aunt Mary had said she'd get her pictures out.

Y'all should have seen it. My aunt Mary has a big dining table and it was covered, stacked three high, with large, stuffed photo albums. Everyone was there. Every occasion. Every picture any of us had sent her.

We sat and looked together at those photos and reminisced about times gone by and people we'd known. With each one she'd say, "There's my little..."

"Isn't she/he precious?"

Whether she saw us every day or once in a lifetime.

We were hers.

And to her we were precious.

And she was precious to us.

We will see you--our honey, darlin', sweetie angel. Now you can love us all with Jesus.

Now I Just Need Some Flowers

2011-02-23T03:01:00.000-08:00

I've got to be quick this morning, I'm running a little late getting ready. But I did want to stop in and share the picture of this beautiful enamel pitcher my Aunt Betty found me at a yard sale. It goes perfect with my hoosier. All I need now is to fill it with some Queen Anne's Lace. Wouldn't that be pretty?

Visit Rednesday over at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/ to see other great stuff.

Sharin' the Info, Sharin' the Love

2011-02-22T03:16:00.000-08:00

Today it's not so much about what I'm doing as what everyone else is. Well maybe not everyone.

Although, just about everyone around here is reading Made to Crave. If you haven't, it's a great book on getting your mind and heart right about your struggle with food. And then doing something about it. Between the book, the way my mind was already turning, and some get real prayer, I'm doing things differently. It's not a diet. It's a change. A complete change in my heart regarding food. Still cook it. Still eat it. No longer obsess over it. No longer consumed by it. I've lost over five pounds so far. And a whole lot of mental baggage.

The author offers a webcast series on the book that I watched and enjoyed. She gives insights from the books, there are guest speakers and nutritional tips. They are being rebroadcasted begninning today and then the following Tuesdays. Don't miss your chance to see them. You can go to http://madetocrave.org/ any time on Tuesday to watch.

My other info share today is from Amisha over at http://gorgeousandfun.typepad.com/ She's having a blog party on Sundays about getting creative. I'm going to put the button for it on my sidebar so you'll be able to link there on Sundays if you want, or add your own. I thought it sounded like fun.

When I started blogging, two of the things I said I wanted to be were more creative and skinnier (aka healthier). These are some ways I'm finally getting around to working on those. Maybe you'll join me. Maybe you've got other stuff that needs working on.

I'm just tired of being a wannabe. It's time to be a gonna be.

What about you?

Makeover Monday and Good Stuff from the Mail

2011-02-21T02:30:00.000-08:00

Hey there! for those of you who didn't sneak a peek at the blog this weekend, you'll see our usual Monday morning get together has a different look. The weather's getting warmer, the skies are looking bluer, a few flowers are beginning to blossom. It was time to celebrate.

It all got started when my dear friend Jen from over at http://jennalane2.blogspot.com/ made me a new header for spring. Bless her heart, she takes pity on inability to be tech savvy and helps me out. And I'm so glad she does! I've made her my official blog techno guru. She's whipping me in shape.

One evidence of that is...I've added pages. They're a work in progress. But, on the side you'll be able to click on the different pages and pull up the recipes by types. Like our own little cookbook. So far I just have January and February's recipes added and not the pictures. But I'll backtrack and get them all in there.

New header, recipe pages, and polka dots in my background. I'm a happy girl.

I'm also happy because of what I got in the mail this weekend. It was my package from Maryjane at Beehive Cottage. http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com/ Here's the cute little journal I got from her. I'm going to fill it with my favorite recipes and give it to Meredith when she has a home of her own.

The cookie, the blue stove, the polka dots, the yellow kitchen...I knew it was mine.

Aren't these little tags that came with it just the cutest?

She has lots of other great things at her two Etsy shops. I got this one at her Sweet and Sassy Sadie Lee shop.

I guess a new cookbook journal and recipe pages on the blog mean it's time to get cooking. We need our menus for the week.

Monday--Mini Cheeseburgers, Homemade Onion Rings, Fruit Salad

Tuesday--Fried Chicken, New Potatoes & Green Beans, Creamed Corn, Rolls

Wednesday--Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread

Thursday--Breakfast for Supper, Buttermilk Pancakes, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs

Friday--Ham & Scalloped Potatoes, Peas, Biscuits

Saturday--Out to Eat

Sunday--Leftovers

Have a great Monday!

The First Signs of Spring

2011-02-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

I was so excited after going for a walk in my yard that I thought I'd share a few pictures with you. Spring is on its way. A few flowers are peaking out for a little time in the warm sun.

Here's some thrift. It was given to me by my friend Louise. She has acres trimmed in it. It's breathtaking. I'll have to go over and take some pictures when it's in full bloom for y'all to see.

The loripelum in the front have started blooming.

Front porch friend.

Even the weeds are looking rather attractive today.

Hope you enjoyed your little bit of spring. Be sure to visit all the other Pink Saturday participants at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Peace, Part III

2011-02-18T02:49:00.000-08:00

We now return to our regularly scheduled program... Like an interrupted television broadcast, we were interrupted on our Friday series for a couple of weeks for our Valentine study. Well, I guess it was more of a love study. Now we're back at it.

Last time we were talking about the gift of Christ's peace and letting it have first place in our hearts. Letting it lead the way. Our spiritual GPS. For those just joining us, you can search at the bottom of the blog for Peace Series and it'll bring up the other two posts.

Now let's talk about why we need it.

We need all the peace available to us because we have some tough battles ahead. Psalm 34:14 tells us to "depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Peace requires active involvement. Why?

Since the Garden of Eden we have been at odds with God. The flesh wants one thing, the Spirit wants another. Our first tendency is to self, is to run in the opposite direction from where God is heading. We're a lot like Eve. We take a bite of whatever fruit is in front of us. That's why the verse has to tell us to depart from evil--because that's where God usually finds us.

I'm not just talking about before we were Christians. We can see a thousand reasons right in front of us to be dissatisfied or afraid. There's always something going on that makes us antsy. There's always something on the horizon that would make us happier. Satan makes sure of that. We have to look for peace. We have to go after it. We have to wade through the mess of this world until we find it. Then we have to hold onto it with everything we've got.

We need to make sure we have a firm grasp on peace because we are going to need it. Take a look at Romans 16:20, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." Did you get that? The God of peace will crush Satan. That doesn't sound very peaceable does it? But sometimes we need to confront with conflict to come to a peaceable end. The part about having the victory sounds great, but it also sounds like we're going to come into some pretty close contact if we're going to do some spiritual stomping.

Let's turn to I Peter 5, beginning at verse 6. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."

Did you notice the last part of Romans 16:20? It is only through His grace that we have the victory at all. On our own we have no power. On our own we "bite the apple" every time. That is why we fail when we try to take on things in our own strength. Only Christ is capable of overcoming. And He gives us victory only after we've humbled ourselves and given all our anxiety to Him.

Sick Humor

2011-02-17T02:51:00.000-08:00

In all my trips to doctors' offices lately, I made up a little joke. It helps keep me sane in the waiting room.

Q: What's the difference between a doctor's office waiting room and a squirrel's winter home?

A: Nothing. They're both cold, hard, and full of nuts!

Songs, comedy, what's next--a dance video? Never can tell about me. No, really you can. I was just teasing.

Have a happy Thursday.