Thursday, January 21, 2016

Jonas Comes to Town!

                              Winter Storm Jonas Expected to be Big Snowmaker for Mid-Atlantic Area

Looks like we're in for it....  due to start sometime after midnight tonight .. although today has been extremely bright and sunny... but my  cousin's  early morning  red sky in morning  shot   shows  something is  coming!   Pam  really captured   a fiery  sky....   love it!!!
                       
 At least  our region is my f avorite  color  but not the color I have chosen  for  my  Jonas  table  of  January 2016.

My  rather sad undecorated tree is awaiting   my next seasonal  inspiration  but    its lights   make a  happy  foreground for  my Jonas table..
Morning light  brings everything into  a clear  and definite  reality...
 I am pairing  Johnson Brothers, Vintage Charm plates and mugs alternating  with  my Portugese made  Matceramica  plates and   mugs.. I  absolutely love  this color!

My main emphasis  will be  to keep the tea pot  full    for my  fabulous teas    I  got this season...
My Irish, Barry's tea I purchased in newburyport, MA last month in a quaint Irish shop, and this gorgeous tin of Downton Estate Blend Amanda gave me for Christmas!


 Because I didnt get all of my Christmas  decor out this year,  I  am missing the many  crystal snowflakes I could have  scattered...   but the simplicity of this table is  just right as well!


Even as  Jonas approaches and  the  day wanes,  the atmosphere around the table warms up...
 Light is such a powerful element  design and atmosphere!
 Late  afternoon  the colors mute and   almost become ethereal..


 Later still  the  candlelight  offers  a regal  allure
 and  crystal shimmers like icy fire!
 Aw well,   tomorrow is another day and sure  to be something  grand  according to all accounts!


As an after thought I am going to try to share  the recipe I found on facebook this morning...  you may  scroll down after  linking to  find the most  delicious buttermilk biscuit  recipe...  very easy  and  simply  scrumptious looking!  Link!
The recipe is  written throughout the  video...  Please give it a look.  YUM!
                                   Tablescape Thursday
                                     Home Sweet Home

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Read a Book Challenge



While I was in Boston a couple of weeks ago I ran across this post at Susanne's Place and thought that is just what I need to jump start me into getting into some books on my shelf I bought or received recently.... so now that I am home I will re share the challenge and then share my books on my read list.


"Well, as I contemplate this new year.. I know that I have already stated that I wanted to spend less time on my cell phone and more time at the athletic center...but then, I, also, saw this challenge!!! I was visiting Susanne's Place and I really felt the need to join in on this challenge...






The time frame given is books purchased from June 2015 - December 2016. For this challenge, hosted by The Book Date, she wants us to choose one of the percentage goals from the list below that we want to accomplish reading out of the books purchased, list the books we purchase in a post and then cross them off as we read them. There will be a couple link up posts in the year, I believe, where we can share how we are progressing. You can read the full rules at her link.

So to begin we choose below what percent of books we commit to read, if I get 40-60% done I will feel that I was very successful!!!"
20% or less Money Sitting on the Shelf.
20 - 40% Making Inroads. 
40 - 60 % Moderately Successful 
60 - 80 % Maximising Returns 
80 - 100% Mission Accomplished 
So I pulled my new books together... they a re:
devotional
Saving Grace by C. John Miller
"Begin a Year of Grace-Filled Living Now! The gospel changes how we live each day. That s the premise of Saving Grace and the legacy of Jack Miller s ministry. Founder of Serge and the New Life Presbyterian network of churches, Miller believed that Christians need to hear the gospel by faith every day, and he preached what he believed. "


Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
"Experience peace in the presence of the Savior who is closer than you can imagine.
This #1 bestselling 365-day devotional is written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to you—words of encouragement, comfort, and reassurance of His unending love."
Just for Fun
I'm in the middle of finishing a Christmas anthology of 4 festive Harlequin Holiday Romances
Christmas Journeys
Susan Branch's 
A Fine Romance

"A Fine Romance, Falling in Love with the English Countryside, part love story, part travel guide, is a hand-written and water colored personal travel journal of Susan's six-day transatlantic crossing on board the Queen Mary 2 and two-month ramble through the back roads of rural England."



Deep Spiritual Substance

Finishing up  
Set Apart for God by Derek Prince
"Holiness is a priceless gift from God that most people never unwrap. What they miss!
Why does just hearing the word holiness make many of us uncomfortable?

–We think holiness means restrictive rules and regulations.

–We believe it is an outdated concept that doesn't fit in today's world.

–We fear we could never live up to what holiness requires."


The Battle Plan for Prayer  inspired  by film Warroom
Kendrick Brothers
"The Battle Plan for Prayer begins with prayer’s core purpose, its biblical design, and its impact throughout history. Readers will be guided scripturally through the fundamentals of how effective prayer works, inspired towards a closer, more intimate relationship with God, and shown how to develop specific prayer strategies for each area of life. Prayer can accomplish what a willing God can accomplish. It should be your first plan of attack in all of life’s battles, not your last resort. If you want to experience the joy of mightily answered prayer, then it’s time to engage with God at another level. "

" Deliver Us from Evil is the captivating account of Don Basham's journey from disbelief in the existence of demons to acceptance of their reality. This is more than a good detective story and more than the triumphant testimonies of ordinary people released from evil spirits. It is a compendium of Bible teaching on warfare and evil spirits, as well as the biblical conditions for deliverance, how to pray for deliverance, and how to protect oneself against demonic invasion. Deliverance is more than freedom from evil; it is delivery into the freedom to love and serve the Lord."

Binding and Loosing by K. Neill Foster
"Although the subject is frequently referenced in Scripture, very little has been written about binding and loosing. In this ground-breaking volume, popularly written within an academic framework, Foster traces the history of the doctrine from the Old Testament to the Early Church Fathers, the Reformers and the past 150 years to the present. Thoroughly documented. Generously illustrated." Taken from kneillfoster.com

IN summary,   one might  wonder about the heaviness of  these last  triad of books but  I truly believe that  prayer is  our nation's and the church's and our family's only hope in the coming days and so I am  focusing my  main attention on  becoming a prayer warrior this year... and I have already encountered  opposition from  the dark side.... as well as  others with whom I meet to  pray.... it is a common occurrence ....sickness.... circumstances,, troubles  come at us  and we must  divert  the  arrows and darts  as  the  minions of hell  have  much power to thwart  one  who  commits to a warrior lifestyle in the Lord...and  one must  do due diligence to keep  the weapons of  our arsenal  in tip top shape..  reading about other   prayer warriors  is a good place to begin...  I say this  because I  pray that others who have taken the time to rad this may be challenged to join  the battle with us...  for   it  is actually  the  committed Christian life in action anyway,   but the church has been lax in teaching how important  it truly is.

Wednesday Hodge Podge





1. Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?
Well, since I am not a skater... too  klutzy to ever  skate..(frowny face) I suppose I do sometimes 'skate over the details'  I realize this because as I think of  some conversations I've had recently,  the  person to whom I was  speaking  would ask me about  what on earth  I meant about about something and I  say,' Well, because...."  quite a bit....I suppose in conversation  I  sometimes  talk over the top of  what I'm thinking.... 

2. What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age?
I am keeping what Joyce has said  to bounce off of it:
"Staying on top of your health and finances. As you reach/enter retirement there are so many decisions to be made relating to your future which by the way, is no longer on the far off distant horizon. It's now. Also, I think I mentioned here last week that once you pass the 50-mile mark you no longer take your good health for granted. 

Or it could be that we talk too much about retirement planning and the fact that our health isn't what it used to be? You decide. "
At 65  on medicare now both parents gone... for a year now... I have had  lots of time to think about my life... I think about health and finances...  but  now that I have my second granddaughter.. I think a lot about  what of their life will I possible live to  share in... being a late bloomer.... we adopted Amanda  when I was 35..I think  wow if I live to 80  little Doodle Bug will be 15...  and that  sort of shakes me a bit,  esp since we live  almost 800 miles apart.
I have done what I think is a good amount of building our lies  apart from our  children,  but it is ingrained in me to  desire  to be  more involved in their lives at this age.

3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?
I  agree with Joyce's  answer regarding   my wedding rings... which  mine are  gold  and at our 40th anniversary Lynn gave me  a second  solitaire  which looks lovely  together with the  band in the middle... but... since the mid 80's when I found out my  'color'  was  silver  I started  buying mostly  silver  other  jewelry..  at our 30 anniversary Lynn gave me the  most  gorgeous  platinum   sapphire ring surrounded with diamonds... much like    Princess Di's  but  not like the  $19.99  imitations that were so popular a few years ago.. so when I  wish to wear   my  Brighton jewelry which I  love,  I wear  the sapphire  as my wedding ring...


4. January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese?
I am a great cheese lover..  I remember  on our bus tour of Holland we seemed to always be hungry everywhere we went... and when we  arrived at the Edam cheese factory  everyone was famished.. We stood around in masses around  our guide  and  salivated as he  talked about how they processed the cheese.  He  finally realized  our discomfiture  so he took  his  cheese slicer and started scaling off slivers of cheese and  tossing it up  into the air  toward us.at us.. I remember how we all dived for  our  piece like  some kind of caged animal that  had been fed in days.  HAHA I bought 2 rounds  thinking I could get it home with me... well,   we  lived in Germany at the time... but  our  suitcases had gotten so hot  on the bus we  ended up throwing it and  most of the things  in my  case away ... hahaha ...immature as we were back then.  But my favorite and quite easy cheese dish  follows:
I bake mine in a quiche dish.. 

                            Three-Cheese Walnut Spread
                                      three cheese walnut spread pampered chef com wouldn t use blue cheese
You can use light cream cheese 
Ingredients: 
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted 
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese 
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese 
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese 
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 
1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley 
Apple wedges, pear wedges or assorted crackers (optional) 
Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place walnuts in a Baker. Bake 18-20 minutes or until lightly toasted. 
2. Meanwhile, in Bowl, microwave cream cheese on HIGH 1 minute or until softened. Add blue cheese, mozzarella cheese and black pepper; mix well. 
3. Remove baker from oven to Cooling Rack. Carefully pour walnuts into cheese mixture; mix well. Spoon cheese mixture back into baker, spreading evenly. 
4. Bake 8-10 minutes or until cheese is slightly melted. Garnish with parsley. Place baker on serving platter; surround with apple or pear wedges or assorted crackers, if desired. Serve spread using Spreader. Yield: 16 servings 

Nutrients per serving: (2 tablespoons spread): Calories 90, Total Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 3 g, Sodium 115 mg, Fiber 0 g 
©The Pampered Chef, Ltd. 2003 




5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?

I agree  wholeheartedly with Joyce,  but unfortunately I do understand  where this trend originated and  frankly I find it repulsive and when I see  people who should know better  perpetuating this  trend  I am sickened!

6. Your favorite book series?
Well, I  am  a huge romantic,  and  once I read one of Lynn Kurland's  Scottish time travel  books,  I was hooked... I don't care for her  fanciful series,  but the    time travel series    are   sublime to me...  and  she   does not write  graphic  steamy  stories....  
Oh, goodie, a new book is out...
Stars in Your Eyes
7. Why did you choose your profession?
Well, since you ask, I will  say  that  in high school  I had a  double dream... I loved home EC and   and  was  in FHA since the 7th grade,  but  I dreamed of following in the ' family'  profession  to teach as well and so I also was in the  FTA  every year. When I enrolled in Radford College I  still didn't quite know  which.  I really longed to be  in interior design,  and   was  completely taken by the program  they  offered  there,  but  in the end,  I  chickened out... my confidence level at that time was such that I didn't think I had what it took   to work  for adults,  and I loved  being around children so much that I  opted for teaching. So I  entered the  K-7  program and never regretted it...  well until  the  SOL'S came around and  teachers lost every bit of autonomy they had  in  the Virginia school systems..  We were told exactly  what, how much, and when to teach every  objective....  As soon as  the state started micro-managing  the classrooms  scores and  quality in my opinion  started  to go down. And so  I  got my 30 years in and  retired at age 53.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
Even with the  world seemingly  running off the tracks of  civility and normality  around us  I am  devoting this year to  staying out of the fray as much as possible and instead spending  more time  in  exploits   with  my God and my savior, with my friends and  making new friends by    living  my testimony, maybe losing a few pounds  as I focus on things outside of myself, and enjoying life!  I told hubby talk radio shall not be played within my hearing this year.. so I may see very little of him.... Well, that is his choice!

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

A Celebration of Winter

Wow, we awakened to  the arctic blast this morning....  16 degrees at 10am  feels like  -4 with  the wind!
I suppose most of you know that this  past Christmas  hubby and I  spent away from home..but not just a week like  perhaps we may have  done when our daughter was  young and we went to  grandma's,  but we were  in New England for  one month....  waiting for and  helping out after our second granddaughter  was born.  What a joy....  and Im am not complaining...  but,  I love Christmas here at home, too.  So Ive been doing a bit of  juggling things up around the house... removing the "really Christmassy"  stuff  but  incorporating the wintry  items  so we can  enjoy a bit more of the  holiday  experience  around  home.  I mean I am for sure still playing   my more  obscure  music... like   A Feast of Songs from the Middle Ages.
In preparation for  my  wintry  venture into   redoing  the  home  I  was aided by the sale at  Pier 1....  I  bought the  other   antler  sconce.....  I  am loving   the antler theme  in my  English  Tudor  home. And with  the  threat of a huge snowstorm on our horizon I  wintered up the mantel afresh...
I originally  had  this   lone  antler  candle holder  which I enjoyed  in various  applications
Over the holidays while in  Boston   I  found the    other one that rounded out the pair... 

I love  how  they compliment each other in  size and height 
For the holidays   my  sweet  Fox family    took primacy on the  mantle  and since they have decided to winter over with us,  they have  found a new home on the bookcase! 
This wintry  arrangement will  stay..  it  also serves  as our  night light in the evenings..  My frosty  winter flowers  arrangement  glistens with its  icy details,
Hidden within  the folds  is  my  lovely  budded  trinity cross 
As  I  start out my new year,  I am reminded of  the  marvelous Emmaus Walk I took  a few years ago...  and without giving away too many  wonderful  things  about the walk  which should be  a  new  discovery  for each participant, I will share that  we  were  suggested to hold a cross in our hands as we prayed...  It  truly  did make each prayer time more meaningful and opens  a sweet dialog between  myself  and  our  holy  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to who, I pray.. all three of which are  represented on the  triad of circles on the end of each bar of the trinity cross!
Situated here in  a pertinent  place with  my candelabra I purchased a few years ago  that I light during  our family  celebration of Hanukkah and Passover....  for  me,  I think it is  very  edifying to   partake of  the  Jewish heritage  of our Lord Jesus.... as  we are  grafted in to the line of Jesse....There are  Messianic  programs to follow  online  that  really  exalts  Christ   in His kingship.  
I am purposing this year to  dedicate my life..  in  knowing   our Lord in a deeper  way through prayer,  study, and  celebration!!!  The days of  giving my mind over to the tumult in the earth are  gone...  now to  seek the One and true answer to the trials and tribulations  taking place about us! Click on for   another  freh idea  for our home!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Happy Homemaker Monday


Click here to return to  our hostess!



The Weather:::
very cold and  windy...brrrrrrr...  but sunny...   love the  light!

Right now I am: 
I have just returned from the eye doctor  and am looking forward to lunch out with  my best pals!!!!

Thinking:
So sorry to admit I never got those 2 aprons I wanted to make for the girls started....  such a procrastinator these days....  I  must get them done and oin the mail this week!!!!

On my reading pile:::
Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young
Set Apart for God, by Derek Prince

On my tv:::
Wasn't Downton Abbey just grand last night for  all  you DA  fans..... aw...  loved it!!!!
I am also so enjying The Monarch of the Glen on netflix....  I am coming down the home stretch on that one... started  season 6  this weekend!

If you know  me well, you can imagine why I love this  show so much!

Something fun to share:::
No matter  how  mature (old) one gets  just the thought of us gals getting together    (they're  the sisters  God gave me)    is  so  much fun.... our  luncheon is at 1 and then we reconvene at Dot's house and I  just know it will be  nigh unto dinnertime  when I get back home....  we can chat up a storm esp. since we havent seen each other in several weeks!!!!

On the menu for this week:::
chef salad
spaghetti
chicken schintzel
leftovers

On my to do list:::
continue  taking down  christmas and  decorating for   winter....  I love  snowy/icy  settings around the house..

Sewing project
Recipe Im interested in trying!  I saw this on fb and Im dying to try it!!! Doesnt it look  delish!!!???!!  And since my  chicken breasts are so thick....  slicing in half just makes for leftovers the next day!  yayayayayay!

CHICKEN SCHNITZEL MY WAY


CHICKEN SCHNITZEL MY WAY
You start with 4 large chicken breasts.  If you like, you can pound them thin, however, I prefer to simply slice them in half longitudinally.  Slice them as if you were going to stuff them, but then keep on cutting until the two pieces separate.  This way you have chicken cutlets!  You can place a piece of plastic over them and pound them thinner, if you like, but I didn't think it was necessary for my chicken. This way of cooking chicken is incredibly flavorful.  You can serve it with your favorite sides.  My family loved this chicken recipe.  


3/4 cup Gluten-Free Bake Mix 2, OR simply ground almonds/almond flour mixed (175 mL)
  with a bit of coconut flour 
1/2  cup grated Parmesan cheese, (60 mL)
  (not the fresh kind)
3/4  tsp salt (3 mL)
1/2  tsp Italian seasoning (see below in Helpful Hints) (2 mL)
1/4  tsp black pepper (1 mL)
3 eggs
1 tbsp water (15 mL)
4 large chicken breasts
Light-tasting olive oil, for frying
Garnishes:
Lemon wedges
Chopped parsley

In medium bowl, combine Gluten-Free Bake Mix 2, Parmesan cheese, salt, Italian seasoning and black pepper.  Mix well.  In another medium bowl, beat eggs and water together well with a fork. 

Remove any excess fat or tiny chips of bone from the chicken.  Slice the chicken breasts in half longitudinally.  Slice them as if you were going to stuff them, but then keep on cutting until the two pieces separate.

Dip each piece of chicken in egg wash and then spoon seasoned bake mix over chicken pieces. 

In two nonstick frying pans, place 3 pieces of prepared chicken.  Fry 5 minutes on medium heat on one side until golden brown underneath, flip carefully and fry another 4 to 6 minutes, lowering the temperature, if they are becoming too brown.  Check smaller pieces of chicken first.  Make sure there is no pink and that the chicken is white throughout.  Do not overcook or the chicken will no longer be tender.  You want the chicken to be moist and tender under the “breading.”  Serve with lemon wedges and sprinkle chicken with chopped parsley.

Helpful Hints:  Olive oil has not been taken into account in the nutritional analysis.Italian seasoning is a mixture of oregano, basil, marjoram, rosemary and thyme – mix in equal quantities to make your own version.

Yield:  6 servings
1 serving
224.8 calories
27.0 g protein
10.4 g fat
3.5 g net carbs

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
I  have the  fabric and pattern all set to   make  a matching   pair of aprons for  mommie and    Birdie... have to get it doen this week.... 









Looking around the house:::
So glad we had the house clean  before we left  for our month long trip to Boston... never expected to stay that long....  just need to  dust,  and have Lynn vacuum,

From the camera:::
Lynn was teaching Biride some computing and beleive me,   she was taking it all in!!!  She is one smart cookie!  Talented, as well!

On my prayer list:::
The world, the church,  persecution, God's provision,  against evil plots and that they will be exposed and eradicated,  the family and  friends


Bible verse, Devotional:::

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Eucharisteo

                              
Ann Voskamp introduced us to    the daily habit of    finding the joy  all around us   in her book, 1000 Gifts. On her website she encourages   taking part in the Joy Dare    and your  can find everything you need to know here!Here is my Joy Dare for  the third week of January 2016 with Ann Voskamp! 
778. For today I am sharing about our visit with our girls... I am praising the Lord for our dear girls who fill our hearts with such joy!
779.  The  precious  half smile  Doodle bug has after  she yawns,,
780.  The   surprising   tender hearted,  merciful  attention   Birdie  age 2   pays to  little Doodle bug  when  she  cries.


781.  The  giggles   heard upstairs  while  her daddy puts  Birdie  to bed....  he has  the charm for sure!
782.  THe  sweet hug and kiss Birdie gave me tonight knowing that  soon we will be leaving to return back home!
783.  Snuggling with Doodle bug in my arms...   to  hold a 2 week  old baby   while she sleeps is   pure  heaven!

784. Making cookies with   Birdie, not  once, but twice....  so  wonderful to finally get to  spend  grandma   time with my girls!



Farewell

 After  17 years of   blogging  I am  pretty sad to  just fade  out  with  hardly  anyone showing any   farewell,  concern  about my  surger...