FAITH:
O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
Isaiah 33:2
During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Finally in spite of the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net.
Do you have a fear of falling or failing? The Lord is always right there to be our net — to catch us when we fall. He is our salvation in time of trouble and provides the perfect safety net in Messiah!
Rest in Him and His finished work 2000 years ago. Press on full steam ahead!
FRIENDS:
Father, I cry out for help today for my brothers and sisters who are at this very moment struggling with their own individual fears. These fears are holding them back from accomplishing the very thing they were created to accomplish. I know You are standing in the gap for them before the throne of God, and You are calling out to them to come and lay their burdens down at Your feet. Be with us all, In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
4. JOHN 1:35-42; JAMES 2:1-13; ECCLES. 3:1-15; JEREMIAH 7-9
5. JOHN 1:43-51; JAMES 2:14-26; ECCLES. 3:16-22; JEREMIAH 10-11
6. JOHN 2:1-11; JAMES 3:1-12; ECCLES 4 JEREMIAH 12-13
~JAMES~
Here is a story James would have liked.
Frances of Assisi once invited an apprentice to go with him to a nearby village to preach. The young monk quickly agreed, seizing an opportunity to hear his teacher speak. When they arrived in the village, St Frances began to visit with the people.
First he stopped in on the butcher. Next a visit with the cobbler. Then a short walk to the home of a woman who'd recently buried her husband. After that a stop at the school to chat with the teacher. This continued throughout the morning. After some time, Francis told his disciple that it was time to return to the abbey.
The student didn't understand. "But we came to preach," he reminded. "We haven't preached a sermon."
"Haven't we?" questioned the elder. "People have watched us, listened to us, responded to us. Every word we have spoken, every deed we have done has been a sermon. We have preached all morning."
James would have liked that. As far as he was concerned, Christianity was more action on Monday than worship on Sunday. "My brothers and sisters, if people say they have faith but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing. can faith like that save them?" (2:14)
His message is bare-knuckled; his style is bare-boned. Talk is cheap, he argues. Service is invaluable.
It's not that works save the Christian, but that works mark the Christian. In James' s book of logic, it only makes sense that we who have been given much should give much. Not just with words. But with our lives.
James would have liked that, too.
FOOD:
Peach Dumplings with Fuzzy Navel Sauce
Blanket peach filling with easy-to-use refrigerated pie crust to make these tempting dumplings. Served with peachy sauce and ice cream, they're irresistible!
Makes: 4 servings
Dumplings
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box
2 large fresh peaches, peeled, cut in half and pitted
1 egg white, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons sugar
Sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3/4 cup peach nectar
2 tablespoons peach-flavored schnapps or additional peach nectar
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
Serve-With
2 cups vanilla ice cream
Heat oven to 400F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray. In small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup sugar, the flour, cinnamon and butter; set aside.
Remove pie crust from pouch; unroll on lightly floured work surface. Roll into 13-inch circle. Cut crust into quarters.
Place 1 peach half, cut side up, on each crust quarter. Spoon sugar mixture evenly onto peach halves. Brush crust edges with beaten egg white. Bring sides of each crust quarter up over peach; press edges to seal, making 3 seams. Place dumplings, seam sides up, in pan. Brush crusts with egg white; sprinkle with 2 teaspoons sugar. Make small slits in top of each dumpling to allow steam to escape.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, stir together 2 tablespoons sugar and the cornstarch. Stir in nectar. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in schnapps and orange peel.
To serve, place dumplings in individual dessert dishes. Top each with 1/2 cup ice cream. Serve sauce over ice cream and dumplings.
FUN:
Five years after my wife, Bridgit, and I were married, we received our final wedding gift -- an ice-cream maker. In an attempt to cover procrastination with humor, the friend who sent it included a note: "I wanted to make sure the marriage would last."
Bridgit wasn't amused, but she thought the present deserved a thank-you note anyway, which she dutifully sent five years later. Her note read: "I wanted to be sure the ice-cream maker would last."
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Being a person of substance....
FAITH:
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. Proverbs 16:31(NIV)
"There comes a moment when you know that your face has changed; when that effortless glow you always had going for you suddenly requires serious effort. For me, that moment came on the first of August at 4:13 pm, Eastern Daylight Time, while buying a pound and a half of chicken breasts at Simchyk and Sons." - Lisa Kogan
At first I laughed hysterically when I read those lines from an article. Pretty soon, though, I realized that the laugh was just hysteria and that it had a real note of panic in it. It hit a little too close to home, because I had my own well-defined realization of my aging recently. I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of my car window, and I almost turned to see who was standing behind me.
Unfortunately, the neck that was reflected was my own. I just couldn't understand where all those little crepe-y lines had come from. I had never seen them before. Upon reflection, I think I must even do the turtle neck in the mirror. You know the move. It's the stretch I do with my neck during pictures to try to eliminate any extra chins. Evidently, I've been doing it in the mirror, too, and that's why I hadn't seen any of those wrinkles on my neck!
I had a significant birthday this year, and there were almost instant changes in my face. I've enlisted my good friend Holly to be my dealer -I mean supplier - of skin care products. Even though Proverbs assures me that my gray hairs are a crown, I still want my crown hidden for a while under color from a bottle. I want to age gracefully but not suddenly!
With all the angst over a few wrinkles, I have to admit that I'm also embracing all the good stuff that comes with age. There's actually a lot to celebrate. I have gradually felt myself feeling more comfortable in my own skin. Although I strive to make my words godly, I also feel bolder and more empowered to stand up and speak up. I've increasingly realized that although I have nothing to offer, Jesus in me has everything to offer. I'm relishing becoming the older woman who knows a little bit about the world, mothering, pursuing a passion and cultivating a walk with God.
My outward body may be deteriorating, but I know that running hard on the heels of Jesus will keep me spiritually fit and beautiful. I can revel in each year as long as my image is more closely matching His image.
I see the stretch of the years in front of me as the stretch to truly begin looking more like Jesus. It's the stretch where, if I do it right, the outside matters less and less. The world is less and less attractive. Heaven becomes more and more my home. My character is more and more submitted to Jesus, and my final destination is in sight. I may decide to apply specialized creams to my neck and dye to my hair, but the increase in years is worth it to gain from God the things I need to be a woman of substance!
FRIENDS:
Dear Lord, help me to keep laughing about all the changes in my body as I age, but help me to take inner change seriously. I truly want to grow older and godlier instead of older and grouchier. In Jesus' precious Name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
1. JOHN 1:1-18; JAMES 1:1-11; ECCLES. 1; JEREMIAH 1-2
2. JOHN 1:19-28; JAMES 1:12-18; ECCLES. 2:1-16; JEREMIAH 3-4
3. JOHN 1:29-34; JAMES 1:19-27; ECCLES. 2:17-26; JEREMIAH 5-6
~JOHN~
He's an old man, this one who sits on the stool and leans against the wall. Eyes closed and face soft, were it not for his hand stroking his beard, you'd think he was asleep.
Some in the room assume he is. He does this often during worship. As the people sing, his eyes will close and his chin will fall until it rests on his chest, and there he will remain motionless. Silent.
Those who know him well know better. They know he is not resting. He is traveling. Atop the music he journeys back, back, back until he is young again. Strong again. There again. There on the seashore with James and the apostles. There on the trail with the disciples and the women. There in the Temple with Caiaphas and the accusers.
It's been sixty years, but John sees him still. The decades took John's strength, but they didn't take his memory. The years dulled his sight, but they didn't dull his vision. The seasons may have wrinkled his face, but they didn't soften his love.
He had been with God. God had been with him. How could he forget?
*The wine that moments before had been water---John could still taste it.
*The mud placed on the eyes of the blind man in Jerusalem---John could still remember it.
*The aroma of Mary's perfume as it filled the room---John could still smell it.
And the voice. Oh, the voice. His voice. John could still hear it.
I am the light of the world, it rang...I am the door...I am the way, the truth, the life.
I will come back, it promised, and take you to be with me.
Those who believe in me, it assured, will have life even if they die.
John could hear him. John could see him. Scenes branded on his heart. Words seared into his soul. John would never forget. How could he? He had been there.
He opens his eyes and blinks. The singing has stopped. The teaching has begun. John looks at the listeners and listens to the teacher.
If only you could have been there, he thinks.
But he wasn't. Most weren't. Most weren't even born. And most who were there are dead. Peter is. So is James. Nathanael, Martha, Philip. they are all gone. Even Paul, the apostle who came late, is dead.
Only John remains.
He looks again at the church. Small but earnest. They learn forward to hear the teacher. John listens to him. What a task. speaking of one he never saw. Explaining words he never heard. John is there if the teacher needs him.
But what will happen when John is gone? What will the teacher do then? When John's voice is silent and his tongue stilled. Who will tell them how Jesus silenced the waves? Will they hear how he fed the thousands? Will they remember how he prayed for unity?
How will they know? If only they could have been there.
Suddenly, in his heart he knows what to do.
Later, under the light of a sunlit shaft, the old fisherman unfolds the scroll and begins to write the story of his life...
In the beginning there was the Word........
FOOD:
OATMEAL CAKE (this is very good)
Things You'll Need:
1 1/4 cups boiling water
1 cup unprepared quick cooking oatmeal
1 stick butter or margarine
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
-Oatmeal Cake Topping-
5 tablespoons softened butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3/4 cup flaked coconut
In a small pot boil the water and add the quick cooking oatmeal. Stir, remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes.
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl beat butter until fluffy, add sugars and beat until combined. Add in vanilla and eggs. Beat until well blended. Mix in cooled oatmeal.
2. In another bowl combing flour, baking powder & soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine. Mix flour mixture into egg/sugar mixture, until thoroughly combined.
Pour oatmeal cake mixture into a greased & floured 13x9 baking pan. Spread the batter out evenly and bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let Cool.
3. While cake is cooling. Make the topping.
5 tablespoons butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 3/4 cup ch0ppped walnuts or peacans, and 3/4 cup flaked coconut.
In small saucepan combine all Oatmeal Cake topping ingredients. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until butter is melted and all ingredients are combined.
Top cake with prepared topping, smooth topping over cake, evenly. Broil cake topping on low broil until topping is nice and bubbly. 2-8 minutes. Check topping every minute or so, it can burn quickly. Cool down and enjoy.
FUN:
Martin had just received his brand new driver's license. The family troops out to the driveway, and climbs in the car, where he is going to take them for a ride for the first time. Dad immediately heads for the back seat, directly behind the newly minted driver.
"I'll bet you're back there to get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive," says the beaming boy to his father.
"Nope," comes dad's reply, "I'm gonna sit here and kick the back of your seat as you drive, just like you've been doing to me all these years."
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. Proverbs 16:31(NIV)
"There comes a moment when you know that your face has changed; when that effortless glow you always had going for you suddenly requires serious effort. For me, that moment came on the first of August at 4:13 pm, Eastern Daylight Time, while buying a pound and a half of chicken breasts at Simchyk and Sons." - Lisa Kogan
At first I laughed hysterically when I read those lines from an article. Pretty soon, though, I realized that the laugh was just hysteria and that it had a real note of panic in it. It hit a little too close to home, because I had my own well-defined realization of my aging recently. I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of my car window, and I almost turned to see who was standing behind me.
Unfortunately, the neck that was reflected was my own. I just couldn't understand where all those little crepe-y lines had come from. I had never seen them before. Upon reflection, I think I must even do the turtle neck in the mirror. You know the move. It's the stretch I do with my neck during pictures to try to eliminate any extra chins. Evidently, I've been doing it in the mirror, too, and that's why I hadn't seen any of those wrinkles on my neck!
I had a significant birthday this year, and there were almost instant changes in my face. I've enlisted my good friend Holly to be my dealer -I mean supplier - of skin care products. Even though Proverbs assures me that my gray hairs are a crown, I still want my crown hidden for a while under color from a bottle. I want to age gracefully but not suddenly!
With all the angst over a few wrinkles, I have to admit that I'm also embracing all the good stuff that comes with age. There's actually a lot to celebrate. I have gradually felt myself feeling more comfortable in my own skin. Although I strive to make my words godly, I also feel bolder and more empowered to stand up and speak up. I've increasingly realized that although I have nothing to offer, Jesus in me has everything to offer. I'm relishing becoming the older woman who knows a little bit about the world, mothering, pursuing a passion and cultivating a walk with God.
My outward body may be deteriorating, but I know that running hard on the heels of Jesus will keep me spiritually fit and beautiful. I can revel in each year as long as my image is more closely matching His image.
I see the stretch of the years in front of me as the stretch to truly begin looking more like Jesus. It's the stretch where, if I do it right, the outside matters less and less. The world is less and less attractive. Heaven becomes more and more my home. My character is more and more submitted to Jesus, and my final destination is in sight. I may decide to apply specialized creams to my neck and dye to my hair, but the increase in years is worth it to gain from God the things I need to be a woman of substance!
FRIENDS:
Dear Lord, help me to keep laughing about all the changes in my body as I age, but help me to take inner change seriously. I truly want to grow older and godlier instead of older and grouchier. In Jesus' precious Name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
1. JOHN 1:1-18; JAMES 1:1-11; ECCLES. 1; JEREMIAH 1-2
2. JOHN 1:19-28; JAMES 1:12-18; ECCLES. 2:1-16; JEREMIAH 3-4
3. JOHN 1:29-34; JAMES 1:19-27; ECCLES. 2:17-26; JEREMIAH 5-6
~JOHN~
He's an old man, this one who sits on the stool and leans against the wall. Eyes closed and face soft, were it not for his hand stroking his beard, you'd think he was asleep.
Some in the room assume he is. He does this often during worship. As the people sing, his eyes will close and his chin will fall until it rests on his chest, and there he will remain motionless. Silent.
Those who know him well know better. They know he is not resting. He is traveling. Atop the music he journeys back, back, back until he is young again. Strong again. There again. There on the seashore with James and the apostles. There on the trail with the disciples and the women. There in the Temple with Caiaphas and the accusers.
It's been sixty years, but John sees him still. The decades took John's strength, but they didn't take his memory. The years dulled his sight, but they didn't dull his vision. The seasons may have wrinkled his face, but they didn't soften his love.
He had been with God. God had been with him. How could he forget?
*The wine that moments before had been water---John could still taste it.
*The mud placed on the eyes of the blind man in Jerusalem---John could still remember it.
*The aroma of Mary's perfume as it filled the room---John could still smell it.
And the voice. Oh, the voice. His voice. John could still hear it.
I am the light of the world, it rang...I am the door...I am the way, the truth, the life.
I will come back, it promised, and take you to be with me.
Those who believe in me, it assured, will have life even if they die.
John could hear him. John could see him. Scenes branded on his heart. Words seared into his soul. John would never forget. How could he? He had been there.
He opens his eyes and blinks. The singing has stopped. The teaching has begun. John looks at the listeners and listens to the teacher.
If only you could have been there, he thinks.
But he wasn't. Most weren't. Most weren't even born. And most who were there are dead. Peter is. So is James. Nathanael, Martha, Philip. they are all gone. Even Paul, the apostle who came late, is dead.
Only John remains.
He looks again at the church. Small but earnest. They learn forward to hear the teacher. John listens to him. What a task. speaking of one he never saw. Explaining words he never heard. John is there if the teacher needs him.
But what will happen when John is gone? What will the teacher do then? When John's voice is silent and his tongue stilled. Who will tell them how Jesus silenced the waves? Will they hear how he fed the thousands? Will they remember how he prayed for unity?
How will they know? If only they could have been there.
Suddenly, in his heart he knows what to do.
Later, under the light of a sunlit shaft, the old fisherman unfolds the scroll and begins to write the story of his life...
In the beginning there was the Word........
FOOD:
OATMEAL CAKE (this is very good)
Things You'll Need:
1 1/4 cups boiling water
1 cup unprepared quick cooking oatmeal
1 stick butter or margarine
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
-Oatmeal Cake Topping-
5 tablespoons softened butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3/4 cup flaked coconut
In a small pot boil the water and add the quick cooking oatmeal. Stir, remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes.
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl beat butter until fluffy, add sugars and beat until combined. Add in vanilla and eggs. Beat until well blended. Mix in cooled oatmeal.
2. In another bowl combing flour, baking powder & soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine. Mix flour mixture into egg/sugar mixture, until thoroughly combined.
Pour oatmeal cake mixture into a greased & floured 13x9 baking pan. Spread the batter out evenly and bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let Cool.
3. While cake is cooling. Make the topping.
5 tablespoons butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 3/4 cup ch0ppped walnuts or peacans, and 3/4 cup flaked coconut.
In small saucepan combine all Oatmeal Cake topping ingredients. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until butter is melted and all ingredients are combined.
Top cake with prepared topping, smooth topping over cake, evenly. Broil cake topping on low broil until topping is nice and bubbly. 2-8 minutes. Check topping every minute or so, it can burn quickly. Cool down and enjoy.
FUN:
Martin had just received his brand new driver's license. The family troops out to the driveway, and climbs in the car, where he is going to take them for a ride for the first time. Dad immediately heads for the back seat, directly behind the newly minted driver.
"I'll bet you're back there to get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive," says the beaming boy to his father.
"Nope," comes dad's reply, "I'm gonna sit here and kick the back of your seat as you drive, just like you've been doing to me all these years."
Monday, September 28, 2009
Adversity-Hard to Understand
FAITH:
Romans 8:28 ~And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I suppose one of the hardest questions to answer is: “Why do I have to deal with so much adversity?!”
Quite honestly, one of the best answers I’ve ever come across was written by C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity. Lewis likened God’s use of adversity to walking a dog. If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. Both the dog and the owner are after the same end: forward motion. But the owner must resist the dog by pulling him opposite of the direction that he wants to go. The master, sharing the same intention, but understanding better than the dog where he really wants to go, takes an action precisely opposite to that of the dog’s will. It is in this way that God uses adversity!
We really don’t like being pulled and corrected by the Lord — but when we understand there’s a greater purpose involved, then we can pass through adversity with hope, expectation and steadfastness knowing these events are for our greater good!
Let’s learn from the trials and tribulations we go through because God has a purpose in them. We may not enjoy it, but when all’s said and done, enduring trials faithfully will produce perseverance, character, and hope. And hope will not disappoint us for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…[Romans 5:4-5] We truly can trust in the God who loves us with an everlasting love because He knows the direction we need to go, AND He knows exactly how to get us there!
FRIENDS:
Father-Forgive us for our sins. Search our hearts and show us where You want us to be open to Your grace and love. Give us the wisdom, courage and strength to change. In Christ’s name, Amen.
FOOD:
THREE BEAN CHILI WITH TURKEY IN THE SLOW COOKER
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (4 ounces) diced mild green chiles
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
1 to 2 teaspoons cumin
salt to taste
Directions
1. Cook and stir turkey and onion in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until turkey is no longer pink. Drain and discard fat. Transfer to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover; cook on HIGH 6 to 8 hours.
FUN:
The wife was busy frying eggs, when her husband came home. He walked into the kitchen and immediately started yelling. "CAREFUL!!! CAREFUL! MORE OIL! TURN THEM! TURN THEM NOW! WE NEED MORE OIL! THEY ARE GOING TO STICK! CAREFUL! CAREFUL! TURN THEM! TURN THEM!!! HURRY UP! ARE YOU CRAZY! THE OIL IS GOING TO SPILL! USE MORE SALT! THE SALT!!"
The wife was very upset, "What is wrong with you? Why are you yelling like this? Do you think I don't know how to fry an egg?"
The husband calmly replied, "I just wanted you to know what it's like for me when I am driving the car and you're sitting next to me."
Romans 8:28 ~And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I suppose one of the hardest questions to answer is: “Why do I have to deal with so much adversity?!”
Quite honestly, one of the best answers I’ve ever come across was written by C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity. Lewis likened God’s use of adversity to walking a dog. If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. Both the dog and the owner are after the same end: forward motion. But the owner must resist the dog by pulling him opposite of the direction that he wants to go. The master, sharing the same intention, but understanding better than the dog where he really wants to go, takes an action precisely opposite to that of the dog’s will. It is in this way that God uses adversity!
We really don’t like being pulled and corrected by the Lord — but when we understand there’s a greater purpose involved, then we can pass through adversity with hope, expectation and steadfastness knowing these events are for our greater good!
Let’s learn from the trials and tribulations we go through because God has a purpose in them. We may not enjoy it, but when all’s said and done, enduring trials faithfully will produce perseverance, character, and hope. And hope will not disappoint us for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…[Romans 5:4-5] We truly can trust in the God who loves us with an everlasting love because He knows the direction we need to go, AND He knows exactly how to get us there!
FRIENDS:
Father-Forgive us for our sins. Search our hearts and show us where You want us to be open to Your grace and love. Give us the wisdom, courage and strength to change. In Christ’s name, Amen.
FOOD:
THREE BEAN CHILI WITH TURKEY IN THE SLOW COOKER
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (4 ounces) diced mild green chiles
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
1 to 2 teaspoons cumin
salt to taste
Directions
1. Cook and stir turkey and onion in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until turkey is no longer pink. Drain and discard fat. Transfer to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover; cook on HIGH 6 to 8 hours.
FUN:
The wife was busy frying eggs, when her husband came home. He walked into the kitchen and immediately started yelling. "CAREFUL!!! CAREFUL! MORE OIL! TURN THEM! TURN THEM NOW! WE NEED MORE OIL! THEY ARE GOING TO STICK! CAREFUL! CAREFUL! TURN THEM! TURN THEM!!! HURRY UP! ARE YOU CRAZY! THE OIL IS GOING TO SPILL! USE MORE SALT! THE SALT!!"
The wife was very upset, "What is wrong with you? Why are you yelling like this? Do you think I don't know how to fry an egg?"
The husband calmly replied, "I just wanted you to know what it's like for me when I am driving the car and you're sitting next to me."
Saturday, September 26, 2009
COURAGE
FAITH:
The disciples were alone in the storm for nine tempestuous hours. Long enough for more than one disciple to ask, "Where is Jesus? He knows we are in the boat. For heaven's sake, it was his idea. Is God anywhere near?"
And from within the storm comes an unmistakable voice: "Courage! I am! Don't be afraid!" (Matthew 14:27, literal translation).
From the center of the storm, the unwavering Jesus shouts, "I am." Tall in the Trade Tower wreckage. Bold against the Galilean waves. ICU, battlefield, boardroom, prison cell, or maternity ward--whatever your storm, "I am."
Christ comes astride the waves and declares the words engraved on every wise heart: "Courage! I am! Don't be afraid!" by Max Lucado
FRIENDS:
Father, you promised that there would be faith and strength and hope to meet life's problems. Father, give that strength to those whose lives are in the midst of terrible storms. Help us to lean on you even when the circumstances of life don't make sense and our burdens are bigger than our shoulders. In Jesus' name we ask for courage, Amen
FOOD:
Waffle House Hash Browns (I miss the Waffle House. We had one not far from us when I lived in Tuscon. Everything there was fattening and good)
(copycat recipe)
You can use regular potatoes that have been peeled and shredded,but for this recipe I prefer to use the refrigerated ones. Serve with your favorite style eggs and toast.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons margarine, divided (DO NOT use butter for this)
1/2 cup diced cooked ham (diced small)
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1 cup refrigerated shredded hash brown
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Garnish with your choice of grated cheese
Melt 1 Tablespoon margarine in a medium sized non-stick skillet, over medium heat. Add onion and diced ham, cook until onion is soft and ham is heated through. Spread ham and onion into an even layer, add rest of margarine in center of ham/onion mixture.
Cover ham/onion mixture evenly with shredded potatoes. Season potatoes with salt and pepper. Cover with lid and let brown for about 5 to 10 minutes.(depending on how brown you like your potatoes).
Remove lid and divide into 4 pieces, turn each piece over to brown other side. Serve with your choice of grated cheese put on when plated up.
FUN:
The disciples were alone in the storm for nine tempestuous hours. Long enough for more than one disciple to ask, "Where is Jesus? He knows we are in the boat. For heaven's sake, it was his idea. Is God anywhere near?"
And from within the storm comes an unmistakable voice: "Courage! I am! Don't be afraid!" (Matthew 14:27, literal translation).
From the center of the storm, the unwavering Jesus shouts, "I am." Tall in the Trade Tower wreckage. Bold against the Galilean waves. ICU, battlefield, boardroom, prison cell, or maternity ward--whatever your storm, "I am."
Christ comes astride the waves and declares the words engraved on every wise heart: "Courage! I am! Don't be afraid!" by Max Lucado
FRIENDS:
Father, you promised that there would be faith and strength and hope to meet life's problems. Father, give that strength to those whose lives are in the midst of terrible storms. Help us to lean on you even when the circumstances of life don't make sense and our burdens are bigger than our shoulders. In Jesus' name we ask for courage, Amen
FOOD:
Waffle House Hash Browns (I miss the Waffle House. We had one not far from us when I lived in Tuscon. Everything there was fattening and good)
(copycat recipe)
You can use regular potatoes that have been peeled and shredded,but for this recipe I prefer to use the refrigerated ones. Serve with your favorite style eggs and toast.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons margarine, divided (DO NOT use butter for this)
1/2 cup diced cooked ham (diced small)
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1 cup refrigerated shredded hash brown
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Garnish with your choice of grated cheese
Melt 1 Tablespoon margarine in a medium sized non-stick skillet, over medium heat. Add onion and diced ham, cook until onion is soft and ham is heated through. Spread ham and onion into an even layer, add rest of margarine in center of ham/onion mixture.
Cover ham/onion mixture evenly with shredded potatoes. Season potatoes with salt and pepper. Cover with lid and let brown for about 5 to 10 minutes.(depending on how brown you like your potatoes).
Remove lid and divide into 4 pieces, turn each piece over to brown other side. Serve with your choice of grated cheese put on when plated up.
FUN:
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Comfort and hope
FAITH:
Mark 7:1-37
Many Pharisees of Jesus' day believed that their rituals demonstrated respect for God. Hundreds of laws and rituals prescribed exactly how Jews should live, including the consumption of clean and unclean foods. Jesus showed that faith was more important.
Jesus amazed the people by his teaching and dumbfounded them by his actions.
Quite a passage, isn't it.
Jesus is presented with a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. Perhaps he stammered. Maybe he spoke with a lisp. Perhaps, because of his deafness, he never learned to articulate words properly.
Jesus, refusing to exploit the situation, took the man aside. He looked him in the face. Knowing it would be useless to talk, he explained what he was about to do through gestures. He spat and touched the man's tongue, telling him that whatever restricted his speech was about to be removed. He touched his ears. They, for the first time, were about to hear.
But before the man said a word or heard a sound Jesus did something I never would have anticipated.
He sighed.......
Sigh. the word seemed out of place.
I'd never thought of God as one who sighs. I'd thought of God as one who commands. I'd thought of God as one who weeps. I'd thought of God as one who called forth the dead with a command or created the universe with a word....but a God who sighs?
Perhaps this phrase caught my eye because I do my share of sighing.
I sighed yesterday when I visited a lady whose invalid husband had deteriorated so much he didn't recognize me. He thought I was trying to sell him something.
I sighed when the dirty-faced, scantily dressed, six-year-old girl in the grocery store asked me for some change.
And I sighed today listening to a husband tell how his wife won't forgive him.
No doubt you have done your share of sighing.
If you have teenagers, you've probably sighed. If you've tried to resist temptation, you've probably sighed. If you've had your motives questioned or your best acts of love rejected, you have been forced to take a deep breath and let escape a painful sigh....
All these sighs come from the same anxiety; a recognition of pain that was never intended, or of hope deferred.
Man was not created to be separated from his creator; hence he sighs, longing for home. The creation was never intended to be inhabited by evil; hence she sighs, yearning for the Garden...
And when Jesus looked into the eyes of Satan's victim, the only appropriate thing to do was sigh."It was never intended to be this way." the sigh said. "Your ears weren't made to be deaf, your tongue wasn't made to stumble." The imbalance of it all caused the Master to languish.
So, I found a place for the word. You might think it strange, but I placed it beside the word comfort, for in an indirect way, God's pain is our comfort.
And in the agony of Jesus lies our hope. Had he not sighed, had he not felt the burden for what was not intended, we would be in a pitiful condition. Had he simply chalked it all up to the inevitable or washed his hands of the whole stinking mess, what hope would we have?
But he didn't. That holy sigh assures us that God still groans for his people. He groans for the day when all sighs will cease, when what was intended to be will be. by Max Lucado
Applying it: What situations cause you to need comfort? A broken relationship, a lost loved one, or overwhelming anxiety? Pray, thanking God that he still groans for his people.
Exploring it: Comfort-Job 15:11; Psalm 23; 71:19-21; 86:17; 94:19; 119:50, 76; Isaiah 12:1; 40:1; 2 Corinthians 1:3 Hebrews 6:18
FRIENDS:
Father, you are God and Creator, but we come to you as children coming to their father, as children who would ask their father to hold and comfort them, hoping to receive some words of wisdom. As you stilled the storm on the sea of Galilee, will you still the storms that rage within our hearts? In our sorrow will you comfort us and draw us ever closer to you? In Jesus' name, Amen
FOOD:
The Famous Peabody Hotel Sugar Cookies
1 1/2 cups margarine
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup real butter
1 large egg
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla
Cream together margarine and butter. Slightly beat the egg and add to creme mixture. Add the sugar to mixture. Add flour slowly and beat until thoroughly blended; add vanilla. Dough will be stiff. Prepare dough into long rolls and refrigerate over nite. Slice and bake for 12-15 minutes in 350° oven
FUN:
Mark 7:1-37
Many Pharisees of Jesus' day believed that their rituals demonstrated respect for God. Hundreds of laws and rituals prescribed exactly how Jews should live, including the consumption of clean and unclean foods. Jesus showed that faith was more important.
Jesus amazed the people by his teaching and dumbfounded them by his actions.
Quite a passage, isn't it.
Jesus is presented with a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. Perhaps he stammered. Maybe he spoke with a lisp. Perhaps, because of his deafness, he never learned to articulate words properly.
Jesus, refusing to exploit the situation, took the man aside. He looked him in the face. Knowing it would be useless to talk, he explained what he was about to do through gestures. He spat and touched the man's tongue, telling him that whatever restricted his speech was about to be removed. He touched his ears. They, for the first time, were about to hear.
But before the man said a word or heard a sound Jesus did something I never would have anticipated.
He sighed.......
Sigh. the word seemed out of place.
I'd never thought of God as one who sighs. I'd thought of God as one who commands. I'd thought of God as one who weeps. I'd thought of God as one who called forth the dead with a command or created the universe with a word....but a God who sighs?
Perhaps this phrase caught my eye because I do my share of sighing.
I sighed yesterday when I visited a lady whose invalid husband had deteriorated so much he didn't recognize me. He thought I was trying to sell him something.
I sighed when the dirty-faced, scantily dressed, six-year-old girl in the grocery store asked me for some change.
And I sighed today listening to a husband tell how his wife won't forgive him.
No doubt you have done your share of sighing.
If you have teenagers, you've probably sighed. If you've tried to resist temptation, you've probably sighed. If you've had your motives questioned or your best acts of love rejected, you have been forced to take a deep breath and let escape a painful sigh....
All these sighs come from the same anxiety; a recognition of pain that was never intended, or of hope deferred.
Man was not created to be separated from his creator; hence he sighs, longing for home. The creation was never intended to be inhabited by evil; hence she sighs, yearning for the Garden...
And when Jesus looked into the eyes of Satan's victim, the only appropriate thing to do was sigh."It was never intended to be this way." the sigh said. "Your ears weren't made to be deaf, your tongue wasn't made to stumble." The imbalance of it all caused the Master to languish.
So, I found a place for the word. You might think it strange, but I placed it beside the word comfort, for in an indirect way, God's pain is our comfort.
And in the agony of Jesus lies our hope. Had he not sighed, had he not felt the burden for what was not intended, we would be in a pitiful condition. Had he simply chalked it all up to the inevitable or washed his hands of the whole stinking mess, what hope would we have?
But he didn't. That holy sigh assures us that God still groans for his people. He groans for the day when all sighs will cease, when what was intended to be will be. by Max Lucado
Applying it: What situations cause you to need comfort? A broken relationship, a lost loved one, or overwhelming anxiety? Pray, thanking God that he still groans for his people.
Exploring it: Comfort-Job 15:11; Psalm 23; 71:19-21; 86:17; 94:19; 119:50, 76; Isaiah 12:1; 40:1; 2 Corinthians 1:3 Hebrews 6:18
FRIENDS:
Father, you are God and Creator, but we come to you as children coming to their father, as children who would ask their father to hold and comfort them, hoping to receive some words of wisdom. As you stilled the storm on the sea of Galilee, will you still the storms that rage within our hearts? In our sorrow will you comfort us and draw us ever closer to you? In Jesus' name, Amen
FOOD:
The Famous Peabody Hotel Sugar Cookies
1 1/2 cups margarine
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup real butter
1 large egg
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla
Cream together margarine and butter. Slightly beat the egg and add to creme mixture. Add the sugar to mixture. Add flour slowly and beat until thoroughly blended; add vanilla. Dough will be stiff. Prepare dough into long rolls and refrigerate over nite. Slice and bake for 12-15 minutes in 350° oven
FUN:
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
When someone leaves us too soon.....
FAITH:
Psalm 145: 14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
I was at a funeral last night. The deceased had been tragically killed in a plane crash last weekend, on the very same day that his son was getting engaged to be married. I went to the funeral because the mother of the dead man is a member of our congregation. It was a very sad event for her because she also lost her daughter to breast cancer last year. She has now survived both her children.
I wondered how the pastor would conduct such a sad service to the devastated family. I prayed for him constantly throughout the service. He was an old minister, who was also a dear friend to the family. I could see that he was deeply affected by this tragedy, but his years of pastoral experience enabled him to gently lead the whole gathered community to celebrate the life of the deceased and, at the same time, still retain faith, hope, and love for God.
Towards the end of the service, the elderly pastor asked the congregation to share some thoughts and memories. A beautiful letter, written by the deceased’s wife, was read and some other people shared their personal stories. The last speaker was the son of the man who died. He very courageously thanked everyone for being at the funeral and added these words: “You have all confirmed for me that my father was the person I always knew him to be.” I have never heard of a higher compliment being given to a father by a son.
In the midst of this tragedy, we all wondered how we could celebrate and endure such a loss. And yet God, in one of His mysterious ways, provided all of the ingredients, people, and thoughts necessary to enable the family and friends to be lifted up. It was a remarkable experience and for me it proved the promise encapsulated in this verse: ‘The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.’
We are all still reeling from the loss of our sister Kelsey. My prayer for you this day is that God will come to wherever you are, and gently lift you up in body, mind, heart, and soul.
FRIENDS:
Lord Jesus, in the midst of our sorrows, be our Comforter. During times of trouble and tragedy, be our Strength. And in those dark moments when we feel down or depressed, isolated or alone, be our Friend. Both now and always. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
23. LUKE 24:28-35; HEBREWS 12:14-29; PROVERBS 29:15-27; ISAIAH 59-61
24. LUKE 24:36-44; HEBREWS 13:1-8; PROVERBS 30; ISAIAH 62-64
25. LUKE 24:45-53; HEBREWS 13:9-25; PROVERBS 31; ISAIAH 65-66
Isaiah 61:3
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
May God bestow on you a crown of beauty instead of ashes of grief; that He will pour out joy over your life to soothe these days of mourning. I pray that God will exchange your heavy spirit of despair for a beautiful, everlasting garment of praise to Him for the great things He will do in your life through the death of your child.
Our sweet Kelsey.....
Psalm 145: 14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
I was at a funeral last night. The deceased had been tragically killed in a plane crash last weekend, on the very same day that his son was getting engaged to be married. I went to the funeral because the mother of the dead man is a member of our congregation. It was a very sad event for her because she also lost her daughter to breast cancer last year. She has now survived both her children.
I wondered how the pastor would conduct such a sad service to the devastated family. I prayed for him constantly throughout the service. He was an old minister, who was also a dear friend to the family. I could see that he was deeply affected by this tragedy, but his years of pastoral experience enabled him to gently lead the whole gathered community to celebrate the life of the deceased and, at the same time, still retain faith, hope, and love for God.
Towards the end of the service, the elderly pastor asked the congregation to share some thoughts and memories. A beautiful letter, written by the deceased’s wife, was read and some other people shared their personal stories. The last speaker was the son of the man who died. He very courageously thanked everyone for being at the funeral and added these words: “You have all confirmed for me that my father was the person I always knew him to be.” I have never heard of a higher compliment being given to a father by a son.
In the midst of this tragedy, we all wondered how we could celebrate and endure such a loss. And yet God, in one of His mysterious ways, provided all of the ingredients, people, and thoughts necessary to enable the family and friends to be lifted up. It was a remarkable experience and for me it proved the promise encapsulated in this verse: ‘The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.’
We are all still reeling from the loss of our sister Kelsey. My prayer for you this day is that God will come to wherever you are, and gently lift you up in body, mind, heart, and soul.
FRIENDS:
Lord Jesus, in the midst of our sorrows, be our Comforter. During times of trouble and tragedy, be our Strength. And in those dark moments when we feel down or depressed, isolated or alone, be our Friend. Both now and always. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
23. LUKE 24:28-35; HEBREWS 12:14-29; PROVERBS 29:15-27; ISAIAH 59-61
24. LUKE 24:36-44; HEBREWS 13:1-8; PROVERBS 30; ISAIAH 62-64
25. LUKE 24:45-53; HEBREWS 13:9-25; PROVERBS 31; ISAIAH 65-66
Isaiah 61:3
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
May God bestow on you a crown of beauty instead of ashes of grief; that He will pour out joy over your life to soothe these days of mourning. I pray that God will exchange your heavy spirit of despair for a beautiful, everlasting garment of praise to Him for the great things He will do in your life through the death of your child.
Our sweet Kelsey.....Saturday, September 19, 2009
Who is watching you?
FAITH:
Psalms 101:2
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
The other day we were busy working and realized it had been several minutes since we had heard anything from our little girl. That’s almost never a good sign with an alert two-year old running around the house. After a quick search we realized that she was in the bathroom with the door closed, a big no-no. We came in only to find that she had placed all of her bath toys in, sad to say, a forgotten-to-be-flushed toilet, last of which was her favorite stuffed Barney doll from a gift from a good friend. That was an enjoyable clean-up. Needless to say, a little discipline was in order.
Why do we have to discipline our children? I mean really, who likes doing that? The truth is though, that if we don’t discipline our kids, they will never learn to obey us. And if they never learn to obey us, how will they ever learn to obey the Lord? In teaching them to obey authority, we are actually teaching them to obey the Lord.
But here’s the kicker. If we aren’t obeying the Lord like we should, no discipline will ever be effective enough on our children. Are we following after the Lord wholeheartedly all the time? Are we setting a good example? I wish we could say we have a squeaky clean record. What we have is a huge responsibility. And we have innocent eyes always watching, just waiting for the next opportunity to show the world what they’ve learned. The sad reality is that our kids don’t do what we tell them to do, they do what we do.
Young eyes are always watching, regardless of whether they are young physically or young spiritually. And we have a responsibility before the Lord to be a good example to them. Let’s ask the Lord to cleanse us and mature us so that we can be lights to our children, our brothers and sisters and all the world around us.
FRIENDS:
Father, help us to be the Godly examples that our children and others need to see. Please help us to admit our shortcomings and our imperfections and to leave them at the foot of the cross. Thank You for loving us at our worst. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
20. LUKE 23:50-56; HEBREWS 11:17-31; PROVERBS 28:1-14; ISAIAH 51-53
21. LUKE 24:1-12; HEBREWS 11:32-40; PROVERBS 28:15-28; ISAIAH 54-55
FOOD:
Some time ago I posted a recipe for an apple dumpling and got some comments on how gross it sounded. While I was rambling around the internet the other day I came across this recipe blog with pictures. I am including the link for the nay-sayers, so you may see how truly wonderful they are. Please take the time to look at them and while you are there, look around a little.
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/09/easy-and-amazing-apple-dumplings.html
Here are some very helpful hints on cleaning things....
To clean tea stains from glass or plastic pitchers, use either white or apple cider vinegar. Pour a little in the bottom of the pitcher or teapot and then use a paper towel to clean the inside and around the spout. You can also use baking soda to clean the coffee stains out of coffee cups. It has a slight abrasive action.
For cleaning a fiberglass hot tub reach for 20 Mule Team Borax and a dampened gentle scrubber sponge. You will be amazed. It takes off stains that can't be removed with cleaners that are actually made for hot tubs. It is highly recommend for cleaning difficult stains on fiberglass.
You can use original blue Dawn dish washing soap to remove soap scum from the shower. If you have lots of buildup another product to use is Soilove! Replace the top of the Soilove bottle with a top from an old Windex bottle. Then spray the glass shower doors at night and let them sit until morning. Also Greased Lightening will cut through the soap scum buildup in showers and tubs.
Oil-based paint is difficult to remove, especially if you don't have mineral spirits and soap and water won't work at all. Try WD-40 spray lubricant. Sprayed it on your hands and arms and let it soak for 30 to 60 seconds. With minimal scrubbing and an old cloth, it will take the paint right off. It also does not dry out the skin like mineral spirits and turpentine usually do. A final washing with soap and water will rinse the WD-40 off.
FUN:
While riding the bus, my mother noticed a young man, who was holding onto the same pole as her, staring at her. Eventually, he said, "Excuse me. This is my stop."
Since she wasn't blocking his way, she was confused. "Well," she said, "go ahead."
"And this is my pole," he said.
My mother was completely perplexed until the young man added, "I just bought it at the hardware store to hold up my shower curtain."
And with that, he picked up his pole and carried it off the bus.
Psalms 101:2
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
The other day we were busy working and realized it had been several minutes since we had heard anything from our little girl. That’s almost never a good sign with an alert two-year old running around the house. After a quick search we realized that she was in the bathroom with the door closed, a big no-no. We came in only to find that she had placed all of her bath toys in, sad to say, a forgotten-to-be-flushed toilet, last of which was her favorite stuffed Barney doll from a gift from a good friend. That was an enjoyable clean-up. Needless to say, a little discipline was in order.
Why do we have to discipline our children? I mean really, who likes doing that? The truth is though, that if we don’t discipline our kids, they will never learn to obey us. And if they never learn to obey us, how will they ever learn to obey the Lord? In teaching them to obey authority, we are actually teaching them to obey the Lord.
But here’s the kicker. If we aren’t obeying the Lord like we should, no discipline will ever be effective enough on our children. Are we following after the Lord wholeheartedly all the time? Are we setting a good example? I wish we could say we have a squeaky clean record. What we have is a huge responsibility. And we have innocent eyes always watching, just waiting for the next opportunity to show the world what they’ve learned. The sad reality is that our kids don’t do what we tell them to do, they do what we do.
Young eyes are always watching, regardless of whether they are young physically or young spiritually. And we have a responsibility before the Lord to be a good example to them. Let’s ask the Lord to cleanse us and mature us so that we can be lights to our children, our brothers and sisters and all the world around us.
FRIENDS:
Father, help us to be the Godly examples that our children and others need to see. Please help us to admit our shortcomings and our imperfections and to leave them at the foot of the cross. Thank You for loving us at our worst. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
20. LUKE 23:50-56; HEBREWS 11:17-31; PROVERBS 28:1-14; ISAIAH 51-53
21. LUKE 24:1-12; HEBREWS 11:32-40; PROVERBS 28:15-28; ISAIAH 54-55
FOOD:
Some time ago I posted a recipe for an apple dumpling and got some comments on how gross it sounded. While I was rambling around the internet the other day I came across this recipe blog with pictures. I am including the link for the nay-sayers, so you may see how truly wonderful they are. Please take the time to look at them and while you are there, look around a little.
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/09/easy-and-amazing-apple-dumplings.html
Here are some very helpful hints on cleaning things....
To clean tea stains from glass or plastic pitchers, use either white or apple cider vinegar. Pour a little in the bottom of the pitcher or teapot and then use a paper towel to clean the inside and around the spout. You can also use baking soda to clean the coffee stains out of coffee cups. It has a slight abrasive action.
For cleaning a fiberglass hot tub reach for 20 Mule Team Borax and a dampened gentle scrubber sponge. You will be amazed. It takes off stains that can't be removed with cleaners that are actually made for hot tubs. It is highly recommend for cleaning difficult stains on fiberglass.
You can use original blue Dawn dish washing soap to remove soap scum from the shower. If you have lots of buildup another product to use is Soilove! Replace the top of the Soilove bottle with a top from an old Windex bottle. Then spray the glass shower doors at night and let them sit until morning. Also Greased Lightening will cut through the soap scum buildup in showers and tubs.
Oil-based paint is difficult to remove, especially if you don't have mineral spirits and soap and water won't work at all. Try WD-40 spray lubricant. Sprayed it on your hands and arms and let it soak for 30 to 60 seconds. With minimal scrubbing and an old cloth, it will take the paint right off. It also does not dry out the skin like mineral spirits and turpentine usually do. A final washing with soap and water will rinse the WD-40 off.
FUN:
While riding the bus, my mother noticed a young man, who was holding onto the same pole as her, staring at her. Eventually, he said, "Excuse me. This is my stop."
Since she wasn't blocking his way, she was confused. "Well," she said, "go ahead."
"And this is my pole," he said.
My mother was completely perplexed until the young man added, "I just bought it at the hardware store to hold up my shower curtain."
And with that, he picked up his pole and carried it off the bus.
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